Arborophilia
Encyclopedia
Arborophilia is a play by Jacob M. Appel
, about a woman whose daughters have both vexed her in love: one is dating a Republican and the other has fallen in love with a poplar tree.
The play was first produced at Detroit Repertory Theatre
from November 2006 to January 2007. The production was directed by Bruce E. Millan. It drew together a cast of luminaries including the grande doyenne of Detroit theater, Henrietta Hermelin, best known for her role as an elderly blind woman in June August's comedy Coming to Life. Hermelin, who portrayed Dame Lucretia Bankmore, the elderly real estate mogul bent upon chopping down the poplar, was nominated for a Wilde Award for Best Supporting Actress. Michael Joseph also returned to the Detroit Rep, where he'd previously delivered an award-winning performance as the poet Langston Hughes
in Hannibal of the Alps. Other notable performers included veteran regional actors Leah Smith and Annie Cross. Imani Turner made her Michigan debut as the tree-struck daughter.
The Detroit Free Press described the play as "fanciful" and "sharply funny." Donald Calamia in Detroit Pride Source called the play an "insightful poke at many of our cherished beliefs and institutions."
The Michigan Theater Association named Arborophilia its play of the year for 2006.
Jacob M. Appel
Jacob M. Appel is an American author, bioethicist and social critic. He is best known for his short stories, his work as a playwright, and his writing in the fields of reproductive ethics, organ donation, neuroethics and euthanasia....
, about a woman whose daughters have both vexed her in love: one is dating a Republican and the other has fallen in love with a poplar tree.
The play was first produced at Detroit Repertory Theatre
Detroit Repertory Theatre
Detroit Repertory Theatre is a regional theatre located at 13103 Woodrow Wilson in Detroit, Michigan with a seating capacity of 194. The theatre began as a touring company in 1957 and performed throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvnania, before it established itself on Woodrow Wilson...
from November 2006 to January 2007. The production was directed by Bruce E. Millan. It drew together a cast of luminaries including the grande doyenne of Detroit theater, Henrietta Hermelin, best known for her role as an elderly blind woman in June August's comedy Coming to Life. Hermelin, who portrayed Dame Lucretia Bankmore, the elderly real estate mogul bent upon chopping down the poplar, was nominated for a Wilde Award for Best Supporting Actress. Michael Joseph also returned to the Detroit Rep, where he'd previously delivered an award-winning performance as the poet Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
in Hannibal of the Alps. Other notable performers included veteran regional actors Leah Smith and Annie Cross. Imani Turner made her Michigan debut as the tree-struck daughter.
The Detroit Free Press described the play as "fanciful" and "sharply funny." Donald Calamia in Detroit Pride Source called the play an "insightful poke at many of our cherished beliefs and institutions."
The Michigan Theater Association named Arborophilia its play of the year for 2006.