By Carrie Click
At first glance, “The Veil,” Sopris Theatre Company’s upcoming production, seems as if it’s a ghost story. There’s an overtone of 19th century Irish mysticism, complete with a haunted house, a séance and the supernatural. However, to the play’s director, G. Thomas Cochran, it’s about a lot more.
“It’s really about redemption,” said Cochran. “People need to be forgiven. People need to forgive themselves. It is a ghost story, but it’s so much deeper because of the message of redemption.”
Sopris Theatre Company at Colorado Mountain College is presenting “The Veil,” by contemporary Irish playwright Conor McPherson, for six performances starting Nov. 30 at CMC Spring Valley. Note that because of the Thanksgiving holiday, opening night is uncharacteristically on a Saturday.
Cast and crew redux
Aficionados of Sopris Theatre Company productions will recognize many cast and crew members in “The Veil.” A longtime director, stage designer and actor, Cochran was a faculty member at Colorado Mountain College for 27 years and the director of what was then called CMC Theatre for 20 years before retiring from full-time work in 2007.
His many credits include directing “The Rocky Horror Show,” which starred Nyle Kenning as Frank-N-Furter and Cassidy Willey as Columbia. Both Kenning and Willey now have roles in “The Veil.”
In the company’s 2016 production of “Uncle Vanya” were four Sopris Theatre Company members – Willey and Cochran, plus Chip Winn Wells and Lisa Langer. Wells and Langer will also appear in “The Veil.”
Rounding out the cast in “The Veil” are Kelly Ketzenbarger, Peyton Wild, Jeff Carlson and Brendan T. Cochran – all of whom have experience on the regional stage.
This production of “The Veil” is also a bit of a family affair. Brendan T. Cochran, who plays the role of spiritualist Charles Audelle, is director Cochran’s son. Like his dad, he believes the play is more than just a story about a haunted house and ghosts.
“Ghosts become the metaphor for those things that haunt you,” he said.
If you go
Sopris Theatre Company presents Conor McPherson’s ‘The Veil’
New Space Theatre, James C. and Connie L. Calaway Academic Building, CMC Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs, 3000 County Road 114
Show times
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 1 – 2 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 5 – 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7 – 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8 – 2 p.m.
Tickets
$18 adults
$13 seniors, students, and CMC employees and graduates
Tickets are available at Eventbrite or by emailing the CMC box office. For more information, email Brad Moore, call 970-947-8187 or visit Sopris Theatre Company.