Shepherd’s Erma Ora Byrd auditorium will play host to Broadway actor Michael Milligan’s one-man play “Mercy Killers.”
Students and community members are welcome to attend the free performance on April 2 at 12:30 p.m. The play will also take place in several other locations in Jefferson and Berkeley County.
Audiences will follow Joe as he is interrogated by police regarding the death of his wife who was suffering from a life-threatening illness. Joe describes the young couple’s love of the natural beauty of West Virginia and their inability to afford her expensive medical treatments. Joe reveals just how out-of-reach the American dream truly is to many Americans.
According to a press release provided to The Picket, Milligan says he “wrote ‘Mercy Killers’ to put a human face” on the fact that over 60 percent of all bankruptcies in the United States are caused by medical debt.
Following each performance, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the actor/playwright. Additionally, a moderated discussion of the social justice issues covered will take place.
The performance is sponsored by Shepherd University’s Lifelong Learning Program, the Eastern Panhandle Central Labor Council, the Eastern Panhandle chapters of Physicians for a National Health Program and Healthcare-Now, the Jefferson County NAACP Branch, and the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County.
For more information, visit mercykillerswv.wordpress.com or email epspan@gmail.com.
Showtimes:
Friday, March 28 @ 7 p.m., Ice House, 138 Independence St., Berkeley Springs
Saturday, March 29 @ 1:30 p.m., Fisherman’s Hall, 312 S. West St., Charles Town
Sunday, March 30 @ 2 p.m., Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown
Monday, March 31 @ 7 p.m., Calvery Church, 220 W. Burke St., Martinsburg
Tuesday, April 1 @ 7 p.m., Baha’i Regional Center, 308 S. Buchannan St., Ranson
Wednesday, April 2 @ 12:30 p.m., Erma Ora Byrd Hall Auditorium, Shepherdstown