LOGAN —“Two-Headed,” a two-character play depicting 40 years in the lives of two 19th-century Mormon women, is presented beginning Monday, April 16, at Utah State University.
Written by playwright Julie Jensen, the play is a dramatic interpretation of historical events including the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The story follows two pioneer women — Lavinia and Hettie — who are torn apart by polygamy, frontier living and the massacre.
“I think ‘Two-Headed’ is about the struggle to survive your genealogy, be it good or bad,” director Lynda Linford said in a press release. “The public should come see this play because it is intense, inspirational and revealing. It’s a play that will truly make you think.”
Each scene takes place over the course of five decades as the two characters go from young girls to mature women. The two characters are played by 10 different USU actresses in the play’s five scenes. The actresses have been working closely with one another to tie their characters together and build consistency into their performances.
“The more things we do to be consistent, the better,” said Ruthie Cobb, who plays 20-year-old Hettie. “Consistency will create a stronger character and less confusion for the audience.”
To assist with a decade’s worth of transition between each scene, footage from Brian Patrick’s film “Burying the Past: Legacy of the Mountain Meadow Massacre” is also incorporated into the production. In a related event, the film will also be presented during a free screening at 5:15 p.m. April 19, at the USU Performance Hall in the Chase Fine Arts Center.
“Two-Headed” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 16-21, at USU’s Morgan Theatre, Chase Fine Arts Center, 400 N. 1200 East. Tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and youth, $8 for USU faculty and staff, and free for USU students with ID. “Two-Headed” is recommended for age 13 and older.
For more information and tickets, visit www.arts.usu.edu or call 435-797-9022. Tickets are also available the Chase Fine Arts Center box office.