VALDOSTA — Audiences who watched actress Annie Janson as Miss Dorothy in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” this past summer may not immediately recognize her as Dr. Vivian Bearing, the lead in Valdosta State University’s “Wit” opening tonight.

The vivacious Miss Dorothy had a head of flowing blonde hair that turned the heads of almost every male character in “Millie.” As Vivian, Janson is bald and wears a baseball cap. Her eyebrows are missing. Vivian pushes an IV.

It is a startling transformation, but “Wit” is a very different production than “Millie.”

Playwright Margaret Edson’s “Wit,” which is often published as “W;t”, is the story of Vivian’s battle with ovarian cancer. It is the struggle of a personality’s indomitable will in the face of nigh inevitable consequences.

Though a serious subject, “there is lots of humor,” says Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff, the show’s director. “The intent is that it’s hopeful. There is a sense of hope about this play.”

This is the second show that Bickerstaff has directed as a member of the VSU Theatre faculty. It follows the excellent “Shadowlands” of last season.

Like “Shadowlands,” “Wit” promises to be an intimate production that combines personal drama leavened with humor, a show that can linger with audience members long after the curtain call.

Bickerstaff notes that he discovered this play several years ago at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. “At the time one of the most surprising things for me was the number of people who are connected to the experience of cancer,” Bickerstaff says in his director’s notes. “The director and costume designer of that production, for instance, were both cancer survivors. It seems many of us have a story to tell in that regard.”

Edson’s 1999 story of Vivian earned her the Pulitzer Prize. It is a very theatrical play of a very human and universal experience. But it is a story Edson wished to share, perhaps the only story she wishes to share. “Wit” is her only play. A kindergarten teacher, she has no plans to write any more plays, though she is willing to discuss “Wit.”

Edson took a conference call with VSU Theatre’s cast and crew for “Wit” last week. She shared her thoughts on the play and the VSU Theatre students asked her questions. Bickerstaff approached Edson about the conference call, and she accepted.

“Wit” is the season-opening production for VSU Theatre — a season which may see other playwrights in contact with future casts. The tentatively titled “The Swamp Play” is being written by Deborah Fordham, a VSU Theatre graduate who writes for the NBC comedy “Scrubs.” “The Fantastic Return of the Fabulous Fable Factory” is a children’s musical created by the team of Joseph Robinette and Thomas Tierney, long-time friends of VSU Theatre who visited Valdosta with another production two years ago.



THE CAST: Annie Janson, Joseph Massingill, Patrick A. Rivers, Vinyetta Vonsha James, Jacque Wheeler, Raoul Barnick, Myles Grier, Lana Grube, Joni Wakefield.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff, director; Rich Haptonstall, scenic and lighting designer; LeVonne Lindsay, costume designer; Deborah Morgan, dramaturge; Christa Carroll, stage manager; LauraLeigh Shealey, assistant stage manager; Marty C. Lynch, technical director; Kelly Murray, property master; Heather Cross, light-board operator; Ali Braun, sound engineer; Shelby Nichols, props runner; Celina Curtis, dresser.





SHOWTIME

VSU Theatre presents Margaret Edson’s “Wit.”

When: The show plays 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Sept. 19.

Where: Lab Theatre, second floor, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood.

Show tickets: $10, adult; $8, senior citizen; $7, child or non-VSU student; $6, group rates of 10 or more; free, VSU student with valid ID.

Season tickets: $45, seven admissions.

Reservations, more information: Call VSU Theatre Box Office, 333-5973.

NOTE: This play comes with an advisory of adult language and adult situations. It is not recommended for children.