“Quilters” offers a memorable lesson on frontier life

The funny and moving musical “Quilters” comes to the Mainstage of the Fountain Hills Theater Friday, March 11 and runs through Sunday, March 27.

In “Quilters,” a woman named Sarah and her six daughters set out to make a quilt recording the hardships and joys of life on the frontier. Each quilt block depicts an event in their lives.

“This show is such a beautiful and moving depiction of the life of pioneer women,” says Patty Torrilhon, producer. “Through the blocks of a quilt, the many hardships, challenges and joys of their lives are revealed. Accompanying songs weave the story together.”

Directed and choreographed by Noel Irick, “Quilters” is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. Co-written by authors Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, with lyrics and music by Barbara Damashek, the play was originally presented by the Denver Center Theatre Company. It opened on Broadway at the Jack Lawrence Theater in 1984 and was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

“Director/choreographer Noel Irick, music director Robin Peterson and the cast of seven have created a beautiful musical about life on the frontier,” says Torrilhon.

Irick is a past recipient of an ariZoni Theatre Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theater and has designed dances for a multitude of shows at FHT and throughout the Valley. Currently a full-time high school piano lab teacher and church musician, Peterson has musically directed a number of Theater Works productions and received an ariZoni Award for musical direction of “The Taffetas.”

Torrilhon notes that more than 16 local quilters, led by local actress Hillary ‘Tink’ Hirsch, have created the “legacy quilt” that is revealed at the end of the show. They have volunteered more than 100 hours using 14 different fabrics, 966 pieces, 59 yards of fabric and eight yards of batting. Design and research began in October; the project was completed at the end of February. The theater will be raffling off the completed quilt as well as the 16 blocks created for the show.

Making her debut at Fountain Hills is Cynthia Elek as Sarah. Elek performed in “Quilters” more than 20 years ago with Alaska Light Opera Theater in Anchorage and was recently seen as Heidi in “Follies” for Theater Works.

Colleen Corliss, Danielle Hale, Jennifer Harrington, Angela Kabasan, Larah Pawlowski and Jennifer Whiting appear as Sarah’s daughters. All can boast having numerous local-theater credits.

Told with music, dance, warmth and humor, “Quilters”—appropriate for ages 5 to 18—presents a moving spectacle of simple human dignity and steadfastness in the face of adversity. Something not to be missed.

What you need to know

• Times/dates: 8pm Thurs–Sat, 2pm Sun March 11-27
• Cost: $28 adults; $23 ages 17 & under
• Location: Fountain Hills Theater Mainstage, 11445 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills
• Contact: 480-837-9661 or fhtaz.org