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University Communications

"Everybody's Ruby," a Play Based on Real-life Florida Murder Trial, Will Run at Modlin Center Oct. 2-5

October 1, 2003

In 1952, Ruby McCollum, an African-American woman, was charged with murdering a white doctor, in Live Oak, Fla.

In 1999, "Everybody's Ruby," Thulani Davis's play based on McCollum's trial, won the Edgar Allan Poe Award as best mystery play. Adding even more intrigue to the trial is famous writer Zora Neale Hurston, who, fallen upon hard times, was assigned to cover the trial for a Pittsburgh newspaper.

The University of Richmond Players will offer the first Richmond performance of the play Oct. 2-5 at the Modlin Center for the Arts.

Guest directing is Marvin Sims, head of performance at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts. Sims is a recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Medallion of Excellence in Theatre Award. Playing leading roles are Stephanie R. Chandler as Ruby, Jennell Whitfield as Zora and Mike Oravec as Dr. Leroy Adams.

Scenery is by W. Reed West, lighting by Richard Mason, costumes by Nancy Allen, hair and makeup by Leslie Pope, sound by Robbie Asplund and fight choreography by Phil Hayes.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-4 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 in Alice Jepson Theatre.

Tickets are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and non-Richmond students, $8 for Richmond faculty staff and alumni, and $4 for Richmond students. Call the box office at (804) 289-8980 for reservations.