Famed murderess Grace Marks says she's lost her memories. But it could be that she'd rather not remember...

A drama by Jennifer Blackmer adapted from the novel by Margaret Atwood

A Northeast Ohio premiere! From the author of The Handmaid's Tale comes this true story of an Irish immigrant who worked as a household maid in the mid-1800s and was later convicted of murder. Although set in another era, Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace speaks specifically and almost uncannily to today's audiences. The show addresses issues such as the reception of immigrants, the predatory nature of the powerful, and how others in power conspire to keep their crimes hidden.

October 20 & 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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Characters

GRACE MARKS, 31
Convicted of murdering Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear, but has amnesia of the events in question. Imprisoned for her crimes when she was just sixteen, Grace and has been incarcerated for fifteen years, following the commutation of her original sentence to death by hanging. Grace is ethereal, almost timeless, and able to move fluidly in and out of memories as her story unfolds. Speaks with a slight Irish lilt.

SIMON JORDAN, 35
Psychologist. Simon has spent a great deal of time researching and advocating for humane treatment of the mentally ill, and has plans to open a private asylum in his native United States. Handsome (in a bookish way) and introspective, Simon has an inquisitive nature and the assurance of a mid-career scientist on his way to national prominence.

MRS. RACHEL LAVELL, 54
The wife of the wayward Governor of Kingston Penitentiary.  Endlessly curious but stifled by her gender, Mrs. Lavell enjoys taking on “projects” (of which Grace is the latest) and surrounding herself with learned men. Mrs. Lavell is desperate for companionship but hides it well.

MARY WHITNEY, 16
Grace's close friend from her first service position in the Alderman Parkinson home, endlessly cheerful and outspoken.

NANCY MONTGOMERY, 24
Thomas Kinnear's housekeeper, charming, yet spoiled and petulant.

JEREMIAH/JEROME DUPONT, 40-ish
Jeremiah is a peddler, cheerful and honest, with dark hair and features. Dr. Jerome DuPont is a clean-cut “medical” practitioner, a hypnotist of the school of James Braid, also with dark hair and features. (While the only person who knows this is Grace, Jeremiah and Dr. DuPont are actually the same man.)

THOMAS KINNEAR, 40-50
Gentleman and businessman, Grace's employer. Kinnear is handsome and charismatic, a bit of a rogue. Takes what he wants when he wants it.

JAMES MCDERMOTT, 20-30
Stable-hand to Thomas Kinnear. Prematurely rough and brusque from years of hard living, McDermott is awkward and socially inept. Handsome in an unkempt way, McDermott likes to think he makes his own choices. Speaks with a slight Irish lilt.