Theater Oobleck and The Tank present

THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS
By MICKLE MAHER

Starring

COLM O’REILLY, DIANA SLICKMAN, and KIRK ANDERSON

Production and Lighting Design: MARTHA BAYNE
Sound Design: CHRIS SCHOEN & MICKLE MAHER
Set Design: MICKLE MAHER
Graphic Design: COLM O’REILLY

The Tank
151 West 46th Street (between Seventh & Sixth Avenues)
www.thetanknyc.org or 212-563-6269
September 11th – 27th; Opening Night – 09/12/15

Mickle Maher’s THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS is an ode to love based on the works of poet William Blake. Bernard (Colm O’Reilly) and Ellen (Diana Slickman) are both professors at a rural New England campus. They have recently been discovered in a public indiscretion for which they are now required to apologize in order to keep their jobs. Bernard’s interpretation of the event is revealed in a dreamy optimistic manner through Blake’s Songs of Innocence. Hard-nosed, straight-talking Ellen has chosen Blake’s darker version of Songs of Experience to make her case. Their parsing of words and emotions is a dizzying romp seasoned with humor, sexual escapades, physical comedy, and some thought-provoking poignant revelations. O’Reilly is superb as the romantic, almost innocent Bernard, and Slickman hones a tough veneer to protect the vulnerable Ellen quite well. Kirk Anderson, as the college president, also manages to play both sides of his character admirably.

THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS is an intellectual approach to love prompted by a straightforward instinct. With aspects of poetry, comedy, song, and a touch of insanity, it makes for an amusing exploration of basic emotions. And yet, sometimes it is better to adapt Nike’s slogan and “Just Do It!” Either way, you will be entertained with this production.

- Laurie Lawson -