The Visit is a tragic and comedic play written in 1956 by Swiss playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt originally in German. First appearing on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on May 5, 1958. Yet after over seventy-five years this play remains a timeless warning.
The play follows an enormously wealthy woman who returns to her former hometown with a dreadful bargain: she wants the townspeople to kill the man who got her pregnant, then jilted her. In exchange, she will provide enough money to revitalize the decrepit town. The townspeople eventually agree.
The cast of The Visit has been working tirelessly to bring this show to life in daily rehearsals for over a month under guest directors Carlyn Grande and Greta Erickson.
The Visit is on stage October 23rd – 29th and performed in WHS’s Black box theatre.
Tickets can be purchased at whstheatre.com or Vanco Events.
Cast Comments
Why should people come see the show?
Emma Balts (Station Master, and others): “It has a lot of meaning to it, about what people think is valuable, and it can be applied (hopefully not as seriously) to real life as well.”
Lily Woyak (Teacher): “The first act is very funny and entertaining, but then it gets more serious and has a really great message that I think everyone can learn from.”
Mady Schmidt (Mike, Reporter): “People should come and see the show because it is a chilling but interesting piece that will leave you thinking about how the actions you make today might affect you later.”
In three words, how would you describe the show?
Emma Balts: “Drama, Scheming, Funny.”
Whitney Geisler (Ottillie Schill, Max): “Solemn, Witty, and Sweet.”
Lily Woyak: “Knee-Slapping Hilarious.”
Mady Schmidt: “Cold, Calculated, Money.”
What is your favorite line?
Alan McCarthy (Man 1, Lobby): “You BASTARD!”
Lily Woyak: “Call me by the name you used to call me.” “My Kitten …”
Why are you excited for people to see the show?
Franklyn Manuel (Kobby, and others): “Because it is a show that has been around for a while and I think older plays should be performed for more people now.”
Harper Jauriqui (Woman 1): “Because I think it is a very beautiful show. It gets really sad and there is just so much to it and everyone in the cast is so talented.”
Alan McCarthy: “We’re using a new kind of staging for this show! “The Visit” is performed in an alley, a staging format where the audience sits on both sides and all the action happens in the middle.”
Lily Woyak: “I’ve loved being a part of this show so much and I’m so excited for people to come and see all the work everyone has put into making it great!”
What does it mean to you to be a part of this show?
Whitney Geisler: “It’s a community where we get to perform something meaningful while gaining new experiences and friends.”
Lily Woyak: “I’m a senior this year, so it’s a very bittersweet experience knowing that this is going to be my last fall play at Wayzata High School! I’ve had so much fun doing this show and I’m going to miss it.”
Mady Schmidt: “To be a part of this show means a lot, there are a lot of talented people on and offstage working to make this show come to life and that is something you do not often find in everyday life.”
Harper Jauriqui: “It means so much. I have done theater my whole life and it was just such a special moment to have a part in my first high school show.”
