Page 27 - YB1981

The second production of the Drama department's 196(}81 season was Lady' house Blues. staged in November. Set in south Saint Louis, in 1919, La- dyhouse Blues portrays the struggles of the Madden family women as they try to rebuild their lives after the war. Liz Madden is trying to keep her family of four daughters from despair while she awaits the return of her son, Bud. The eldest daughter, Helen. is dying of tuber· culosis, and her husband has left her. Dot. who is pregnant. is visiting from her home in New York where she has developed a severe drinking problem. Terry, a waitress is becoming heavily involved in the labor movement. Eylle, the youngest, wants to imitate Terry'S self-confidence, hoping that she'll gain enough independence to marry Johnny, her boyfriend As the play progresses, the conflicts between the girls' own desires and the family's needs are exposed. When Liz and her daughters finally learn that Bud has been killed in a freak accident after the armistice, they draw closer togeth er. drawing strength to survive from each other and from Liz's steadfast and stubborn faith in God. The production was highlighted by the careful realism of the set, costumes, and direction. which worked to build an authentic atmosphere for the play. 13