Wheaton News

Broadway World Rhode Island notes alumna’s semi-autobiographical play

Rose Weaver’s semi-autobiographical play “Silhouette of a Silhouette” premieres onstage at the Wilbury Theatre in Providence, R.I., today, Friday, September 30, and continues through October 16.

Broadway World Rhode Island, an online theater news guide, recently made note of the work by the Wheaton College Class of 1973 graduate, who is an accomplished actress, jazz vocalist and producer.

In the Broadway World item, Weaver, who majored in English at Wheaton, said the story “reveals how my late brother saw the devil while hallucinating in the woods of Georgia. He seeks redemption for his poor life choices. Told through humor, rousing songs, spoken word and Southern mythology, ‘Silhouette of a Silhouette’ is a mini-saga of a family’s painful struggle out of cycles of self-destruction and an attempt at deliverance.”

Wilbury Theatre Group Artistic Director Josh Short told Broadway World how much he enjoyed working with Weaver. “Rose Weaver is one of our state’s most treasured artists and it’s always a joy to work with her—especially on this personal story,” he said. “Rose has been part of sharing so many stories with the people of Rhode Island for decades, and it’s a privilege for us to kick off the Wilbury [Theatre] Group’s 12th season by sharing hers.”

In 2018, Rhode Island media company GoLocalProv designated Weaver its Rhode Island Woman of the Year for her meaningful contributions to the arts community. That same year, she also was awarded an honorary doctorate of fine arts at Wheaton.

Through her writing for stage, Weaver often has shown audiences how to confront challenges with humor and grace, including in her touring one-woman show “Menopause Mama” and “Skips in the Record,” a dark comedy about a family coping with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.

“Silhouette of a Silhouette” was directed by Don Mays and Wheaton Professor of Practice in Theater Max Ponticelli served as set designer.