by Christi Marsico

A Taxidermists Daughter, by Christi Marsico will be presented on May 10 and 11, 2004 at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre located downstairs from the Hilberry Theatre at 4743 Cass Avenue (at the corner of Cass and Hancock).

Feeling fat, stupid and ugly, 24 year old Twinkers is in a rut. In her small, Wyoming town where the citizenry often remind her of her flaws, opportunity is about to knock. Pa has gone to a Taxidermist's Convention and for the first time ever, he's left the shop in her hands. On her first day of freedom, Twinkers hits a wayward pig with her truck. Spotting an opportunity, she takes the bull by the horns and throws the beast in the back, thinking this is her chance to finally make her Pa proud. Despite obstacles in the form of nosy townspeople like Normie Yutter, an insurance scamming Laundromat owner, archenemies Bambi and Veronica Rachel, the scions of local fashion and Crazy Eyed Kootz, a crotchety old man, Twinkers discovers her true strength and gains real pride in being a Taxidermist's daughter.

Third year Hilberry actor, Christi Marsico, portrays Twinkers in addition to eight other characters in this original, one-woman play. This will be Marsico's final appearance on the Detroit stage before pursuing her professional career in Los Angeles. She has appeared this season in The Kentucky Cycle as Mother Jones and Margaret Rowen, Lovers and Executioners as Beatrice, Macbeth as a weird sister, and The House of Blue Leaves as Bunny. Nick DePinto, fellow Hilberry Company member, will provide musical accompaniment. Theatre faculty member, Nancy Lipschultz, also a former Hilberry actress, will direct. A Taxidermist's Daughter is a workshop production. There will be a brief talk-back session following both performances. Admission is free. For more information please contact Sean Coughlin at (313) 577-6625 or Nancy Lipschultz (313) 577-0926.