16th Century Scottish Benefit Launches Drive to Stage Mary Stuart

Alex Stewart, Dana Eggerts, Louanne Moldonvan, Amanda Wolf, and John DelCarlo

Portland, September 14th, 2013. Cygnet Productions is raising funds to stage the Tony Award-winning play, Mary Stuart, by Friedrich von Schiller, newly translated by Peter Oswald. This production marks a new collaboration between Cygnet and The Northwest Classical Theatre Company.

The campaign launch party in July at the home Hap and Dorothy Sermol drew dozens of theatre fans.

Luisa Sermol (in her black costume) will play Mary Queen of Scots.

Mary Stuart will star award winning actor, Luisa Sermol as Mary Queen of Scots and nine other actors drawn from both companies. According to Cygnet Artistic Manager, Louanne Mouldovan, when funding is in place the company will be ready to produce the show for the Northwest Classical Theatre Company’s next season (2014-15), in the month of December.

Here’s some information about the play: Mary Stuart, former Queen of Scots, is imprisoned in England, where her very existence poses a threat, both personal and political, to her Protestant cousin, Elizabeth I. As Elizabeth hesitates over decreeing her rival’s fate, Mary pleads for a face-to-face meeting – but in the swirl of intrigue that surrounds both women, whom can either one trust?

The kickoff party for the fundraising campaign featured 16th Century Scottish and English dishes and period libations, live entertainment featuring Scottish serenades by Dorothy Sermol, and excerpts from the play.

Gayle Stuwe Neuman and Philip Neuman played authentic handmade instruments they fashioned after those used in the 16th century.

Dorthy Sermol, Susan Schilke and John Schilke

Chris Lattig visited with Gordon Convoy, whose bagpipe added an authentic tone to the evening.

More information about the production can be found at Cygnet Productions by calling (503) 230-8827.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.