"Players" undeterred after postponing production for lack of actors

With a long-standing commitment to make stage productions available to Phillips County and surrounding communities, the next Phillips County Players' production is "They Promised Her the Moon." Set in the early 1960s, the story is based on the true life story of the highly accomplished female pilot, Geraldyn "Jerrie" Cobb. She was deemed qualified for space travel but refused by NASA. The play also includes the role of famed pilot, Jackie Cochran, whose accolades include heading up the United States Airforce's Women's Airforce Service Pilots training program during WWII. Another actual person portrayed in the play is Dr. Lt. Col. William Randolph Lovelace II. He ran a privately funded secret project to test the fitness of women pilots to be astronauts.

The play would have been performed Nov. 3-5 if not for two key male roles, a pilot and Cobb's father, still needing volunteer actors. With the hope that volunteers will still take these and other parts, the production is now set for Jan. 12-14, 2024 at the Heginbotham Auditorium.

Directing the play is Jennifer Hughes, who joined the Players after moving to Holyoke in April of 2019. Locally, she directed "A Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery" and earlier this year wrote, directed, and acted in one of "The 24-hour Plays."

As for "They Promised Her the Moon," Hughes said, "I wanted to give the community something real as opposed to a comedy or a fictional story." Hughes recognized that "this is recent enough history that many people will be able to relate it to their own lives. Some will be able to remember what that era was like." She was especially drawn to the strength of Cobb's character. According to the preface to the script, Cobb is described as a "barrier-breaking, world record-setting pilot" that was supposed to be the first woman to travel into space. Hughes said of Cobb that, "It was her dream to fly and she never gave up. She fought and fought to make the space flight but even though that didn't happen, she was still a success. The essence of her story and the beauty of the person she was is worth telling."

Anyone interested in acting in or helping with "They Promised Her the Moon" should text Hughes at (970) 571-5048. They can also find her at rehearsals on Tuesday nights at the Methodist church in Holyoke but should check in with her in advance to ensure the schedule hasn't changed.

"They Promised Her the Moon" is the creation of Laurel Ollstein. It's her first play and was copyrighted in 2022. Ollstein thought the history of the first would-be women astronauts was not as well-known as it should be. She conducted extensive research from which the play is based, with scenes from her imagination and a little liberty taken to supplement her own personal memory of that time.

Penny Dockins, who has participated with the Phillips County Players since the early 1990's and is in her sixth year as board president, said, "We're always looking for new talent." She noted that interested people from outside the county are also welcome to participate. The Players' are open to performing in communities surrounding the county and especially in those from where non-Phillips County actors would live. In addition to needing actors, volunteers can also help with building stage sets, costumes, make-up and hair styling, and sound and lighting.

Dockins said that the January schedule for "They Promised Her the Moon" will follow their usual routine. Desserts will be served on Friday night and for the Sunday matinee. Saturday night will be a catered Dinner Theater.