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Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre in Wheeling continues its season of community theater with a production of “The Heiress”—a nuanced, emotional classic about love, betrayal, and unnerving dynamics of gender and power.

It will be staged for two weekends—November 8, 9, 10 and November 15 and 16.

Based in New York during the 1850s, “The Heiress” explores the life of a shy young woman who falls desperately in love with a charming and penniless man. Her father, a wealthy doctor, sees the young man as a fortune hunter. What follows is a gothic romance filled with mystery and drama.

In “The Heiress,” Catherine, played by Makayla Carney (left), falls desperately in love with a charming and penniless man named Morris, played by Alex Hill (right).

Speaking to Modern Audiences: Power & Gender Dynamics

Though set in the 19th century, “The Heiress” is surprisingly modern and timeless.

Director Leif Green said, “The way society views women is prominently featured in this play. Thankfully, modern audience can breathe a sigh of relief that women today have more freedom and options than the female characters in this story. With that said, being under society’s critical gaze is still a stifling and precarious place for women today.”

At the center of the play is Catherine—a woman suffering the psychological ramifications of her father’s bitterness and constant criticism. As the story unfolds, Catherine undergoes a significant transformation.

Makayla Carney (left) as Catherine and Tim Thompson (right) as her father Dr. Austin Sloper.

“Catherine starts out as a timid, paralyzingly shy, awkward, and fragile woman. Her role as mistress of the house is as burdensome as the many corset lacings, bonnet ties, and heavy petticoats she must wear to meet society’s demands,” Green explained. “She is without guile and suspicion, and she is ardently honest and sincere. When romance enters her life, she is puzzled, frightened, and exhilarated by her suitor and her budding feeling. As the story of her heart’s journey plays out, Catherine is forced to see her world, and those in it, in an unvarnished and harsh way. Where does she go from there?”

Top-Notch Cast

Green has assembled a top-notch cast of actors who are wearing “their characters like velvet gloves.”

Cast members, left to right, Tim Thompson, David Scherrick, Hannah Gonot, Melody Meadows, Makayla Carney, Alex Hill, Maria McKelvey. Not pictured Lokelani Weese and Micah Underwood.

Cast members are Makayla Carney as Catherine Sloper, Hannah Gonot as Marian Almond, Alex Hill as Morris Townsend, Maria McKelvey as Lavinia Penniman, Melody Meadows as Elizabeth Almond, David Scherrick as Arthur Townsend, Tim Thompson as Dr. Austin Sloper, Micah Underwood as Mrs. Montgomery, and Lokelani Weese as Maria.

Unfulfilled Expectations and How They Manifest in Behavior

“Throughout the rehearsal process, we have had countless conversations about each character and their intentions, their motives, their expectations, and their breaking points. We ask ‘why’ constantly. Every play is different, and the director needs to proceed each with careful attention. This play, ‘The Heiress’ is very emotionally raw, but it demands a critical and cerebral approach,” he said.

He added that throughout the creative process one theme that kept resonating with him, the cast and crew is “unfulfilled expectations and how they manifest in our behavior and our treatment of others.”

Micah Underwood (left) plays Mrs. Montgomery and Tim Thompson (right) plays Dr. Austin Sloper in Towngate’s production of “The Heiress.”

“The Heiress,” written by playwrights Ruth and Augustus Goetz, is an adaptation of the Henry James novel, “Washington Square,” which was based on an actual story that circulated in New York society in the lates 1840s about a socially awkward and unattractive heiress, who was seduced by a handsome actor, Green explained.

“The successful play was swiftly adapted into a film, starring Olivia DeHavilland, Montgomery Cliff, and Ralph Richardson and directed by William Wyler. Ms. DeHavilland won her second Oscar for her performance. In 1997, another movie adaptation based on the novel and also titled “Washington Square” was released starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ben Chapline, and Albert Finney,” he said.

Dialogue is “intelligent and brimming with wit”

The dialogue in the play is a highlight of the experience. Green described it as “intelligent and brimming with wit – both caustic and frivolous.” Other highlights include watching the “charming and, at the same time, unnerving” dynamics between Dr. Sloper (Catherine’s father) and his two adult sisters along with the captivating romance.

Tim Thompson (left) plays Dr. Austin Sloper and Marie McKelvey (right) plays Lavinia Penniman in Towngate’s production of “The Heiress.”

Audience Members—”the most important collaborators”

In theater, audience members are crucial, active participants in the experience, making the production complete. Green encourages community members to come see this play and support the talented cast and crew.

“The process of creating a play is nothing but collaboration – relentless, ebullient, exasperating, treacherous collaboration. The cast. The designers. The crew. They are all collaborators. In the end, however, the most important collaborators, are the audience members,” Green said.

Get Tickets

Curtain for Towngate’s production of “The Heiress” is at 8pm November 8, 9, 15,16, and 3pm Sunday, November 10. This production is presented with support from Towngate’s main season sponsor Unified Bank.

Purchase tickets online or call 304-242-7700. You can also purchase tickets at the door, if available. Box office opens one hour prior to curtain.

2024-25 Towngate Theatre Main Stage Season

“The Heiress”
by Ruth and Augustus Goetz
November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 2024

“Dancing at Lughnasa”
by Brian Friel
March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 2025

“The Marriage of Bette and Boo”
by Christopher Durang
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 2025

Where Community Meets Creativity

In addition to community theater, Towngate offers children’s theater, ballet, improvisational comedy, and live music. Towngate is also a single screen cinema, offering movies on select evenings and features changing art exhibitions in The Gallery at Towngate. Theater classes are also offered year-round.

Towngate is in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District. This church-turned-theater is one of several Wheeling venues operated by the non-profit Oglebay Institute. Other OI facilities include: Stifel Fine Arts Center and School of Dance on National Road, the Mansion Museum, Glass Museum and Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay.

Support the Stories We Tell

As a nonprofit community theater, Towngate relies on the generosity of patrons, neighbors, and friends who invest in our community and the stories we tell together. To learn more about donating to Towngate, visit online or call 304-242-4200.

Memberships to Oglebay institute also support the work of the theater and all Oglebay Institute venues. Oglebay Institute memberships are available in a variety of price ranges and include perks such as discounts, special events, priority registration, and more. Learn more and join online or call 304-242-4200.

“Pippin,”—a festively staged musical exploration of life’s endless search for human fulfillment—opens the 2024-25 main season at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre in Wheeling.

This celebrated and much-loved musical is staged for two weekends—September 20, 21, 22 & 27, 28.

Exploring Life’s Transitions

“‘Pippin’ explores the transition from adolescence to adulthood, highlighting the challenges we face along the way. It reflects the expectations we place on ourselves and how the reality of life often clashes with the idealized version we create in our minds, rarely aligning as perfectly as we’d hope,” explained Maura Danielle Reiff-Parissi, who is directing Towngate’s production.

Created by some of the most innovative creators of musical theater in any era (music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson), “Pippin” was destined for success. The original show, directed by Bob Fosse, opened on Broadway on October 23, 1972, and ran for 1,944 performances.

“Pippin” tells the story of one young man’s journey to be extraordinary. Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power. In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the ordinary moments that happen every day.

“Pippin” Speaks to Modern Audiences

While the show is more than 50 years old, Reiff-Parissi says, the themes remain relevant today and speak directly to modern audiences.

“The themes of ‘Pippin’ are still deeply relevant today, as we navigate a world where moral grounding and awareness of our surroundings seem increasingly absent. We’re constantly bombarded by social media influencers pushing products that often disappoint, and family dinners can feel like a battleground, with everyone waiting for the first political debate to erupt. There’s this overwhelming pressure to become the next Kardashian, as if anything less means failure. But why not break free from that? Why not embrace your own unique journey through life and just be yourself?”

Reagan Pockl, Isaac Cardot, Halli Driscoll

Director Is No Stranger to Community Theater

This show marks Reiff-Parissi’s directorial debut at Towngate, but she is no stranger to directing or to Towngate. She has directed shows throughout the Ohio Valley and even in Finland. Recently, she performed at Towngate’s annual cabaret, taught Saturday morning theater courses, and previously played Rowena in “Biloxi Blues.”

Her affinity for community theater has been lifelong. “I grew up immersed in community theater at the Apollo Civic Theater in Martinsburg, West Virginia, so it’s always felt like home to me. It’s exciting to see more female directors making their mark and bringing fresh perspectives to the stage.”

Finding Our True Path Despite Outside Influences

Her directorial approach for “Pippin” was to explore the character from a psychological standpoint. “As adults, we often reflect on our own journeys, guided by our inner conscience through the twists and turns of life,” she said. “Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a Jiminy Cricket to offer moral clarity. More often, we find ourselves influenced by a Leading Player, pulling us in different directions, sometimes steering us away from our true path.”

“Powerhouse” Community Cast

She said working on “Pippin” has been “both exciting and humbling, especially given the scale of the show.”

Reiff-Parissi and musical director Bethany Fernbaugh bring Towngate’s production to life through an experienced cast of community theater actors.

Cast members include Jacob Boyette, David Callihan, Isaac Cardot, Ethan Casey, Juan Dunlap, Nate Foster, Hannah Gonot, Dee Gregg, Bert Hawthorne, Odessa Hores, Chelsey Keding, Jay Keener-Welsch, Lynea Logan, Keyuri Morgan, Issac Perry, Reagan Pockl, Halli Driscoll, Jana Schodzinksi, Austin Schwanker, and Kara Zanes. Stage manager is Alexandria Glennon.

Front, Austin Schwanker; middle row, Ethan Casey, Dee Gregg, Jay Keener-Welsch; back row, Nate Foster, Issac Perry, Jacob Boyette.

“The biggest highlight of this production has been working with such an incredible cast. These powerhouses range in age from 16 and up, and I’m especially excited to showcase both new and returning faces on the Towngate stage. You may even see some surprises, and you’ll get a glimpse of just how talented the people of the Ohio Valley truly are.”

She added, “Working alongside Bethany Fernbaugh (music director) is one of my favorite things to do so I am glad to have her by my side during this process. Brittany ‘Bert’ Hawthorne, who is our dance captain, has helped develop some really cool things.”

Keyuri Morgan, Odessa Hores, Bert Hawthorne