The world premier of "All of the Above," by Playwright Tom Sime, one of the winners of this year's Peterson Emerging Playwright Competition, will be presented by the Catawba College Theatre Arts Department at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-11 in Hedrick Theatre on campus. The play begins somewhere in a parallel u...

The world premier of "All of the Above," by Playwright Tom Sime, one of the winners of this year's Peterson Emerging Playwright Competition, will be presented by the Catawba College Theatre Arts Department at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-11 in Hedrick Theatre on campus.

The play begins somewhere in a parallel universe where reality is full of beautiful possibilities and frightening barbarism. Edward, a thief, awakes in a hospital to find bandages where his hands used to be. Having been caught stealing several times, his punishment is to have his hands cut off. Helene, a beautiful but blind, deaf and mute benefactress offers him new hands from a source she neglects to disclose. Helene's assistant, Charlotte, serves as an interpreter between the two using a special sign language invented by Helene to communicate with the outside world.

Edward accepts the offer and moves into Helene's house after the operation to begin rehabilitation with his new hands. Soon, a love triangle develops between Edward, Helene, and Charlotte. Helene finds herself having to decide between the man she loves and the woman who is her strongest link to the outside world. Helene chooses Edward and Charlotte finds herself abandoned. On her own, Charlotte writes a book about the beauty of the world after this one. Unintentionally, she drives thousands to commit suicide.

Using dark humor to dramatize ethical arguments, Sime questions the relationship between love and hate and the role of forgiveness in the healing process.

The play is directed by Catawba College Theatre Arts Professor Chris Zink, with set design by Professor David Pulliam.   Cast members include junior Meredith Fox of Elon as Helene; senior Catori Swann of Hickory as Edward; junior Beth Simpson of Loveland, Ohio as Charlotte; junior Elizabeth Ballard of Culpeper, Va., as Eleanor; junior Giuseppe Ritorto of Greensboro as Gaston; and freshman Kenzie Brogden of Wilmington as the voice of God.

Crew members include sophomore Blair Elder of Seaford, Va., costume designer; sophomore Michael Lasris of Seaford, Va., stage manager; sophomore Sarah Selman of Rome, Ga., assistant stage manager; junior Joey Yow of High Point, lighting designer; junior Justin Dionne of Salisbury, sound designer; and Catori Swann, fight choreographer.

The play contains intellectually challenging situations as well as language that some audience members may find offensive.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and non-Catawba students.   For more information, call the Catawba College Box Office at 704-637-4481.   Group rates are available.

The world premier of "All of the Above," by Playwright Tom Sime, one of the winners of this year's Peterson Emerging Playwright Competition, will be presented by the Catawba College Theatre Arts Department at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-11 in Hedrick Theatre on campus. The play begins somewhere in a parallel u...

The world premier of "All of the Above," by Playwright Tom Sime, one of the winners of this year's Peterson Emerging Playwright Competition, will be presented by the Catawba College Theatre Arts Department at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-11 in Hedrick Theatre on campus.

The play begins somewhere in a parallel universe where reality is full of beautiful possibilities and frightening barbarism. Edward, a thief, awakes in a hospital to find bandages where his hands used to be. Having been caught stealing several times, his punishment is to have his hands cut off. Helene, a beautiful but blind, deaf and mute benefactress offers him new hands from a source she neglects to disclose. Helene's assistant, Charlotte, serves as an interpreter between the two using a special sign language invented by Helene to communicate with the outside world.

Edward accepts the offer and moves into Helene's house after the operation to begin rehabilitation with his new hands. Soon, a love triangle develops between Edward, Helene, and Charlotte. Helene finds herself having to decide between the man she loves and the woman who is her strongest link to the outside world. Helene chooses Edward and Charlotte finds herself abandoned. On her own, Charlotte writes a book about the beauty of the world after this one. Unintentionally, she drives thousands to commit suicide.

Using dark humor to dramatize ethical arguments, Sime questions the relationship between love and hate and the role of forgiveness in the healing process.

The play is directed by Catawba College Theatre Arts Professor Chris Zink, with set design by Professor David Pulliam.   Cast members include junior Meredith Fox of Elon as Helene; senior Catori Swann of Hickory as Edward; junior Beth Simpson of Loveland, Ohio as Charlotte; junior Elizabeth Ballard of Culpeper, Va., as Eleanor; junior Giuseppe Ritorto of Greensboro as Gaston; and freshman Kenzie Brogden of Wilmington as the voice of God.

Crew members include sophomore Blair Elder of Seaford, Va., costume designer; sophomore Michael Lasris of Seaford, Va., stage manager; sophomore Sarah Selman of Rome, Ga., assistant stage manager; junior Joey Yow of High Point, lighting designer; junior Justin Dionne of Salisbury, sound designer; and Catori Swann, fight choreographer.

The play contains intellectually challenging situations as well as language that some audience members may find offensive.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and non-Catawba students.   For more information, call the Catawba College Box Office at 704-637-4481.   Group rates are available.