Hickory – The Hickory Community has just announced their cast for the highly anticipated World Premiere production, EATING BLACKBERRIES, a brand new, comedic drama by Florida playwright Pamela Harbaugh.

Against a backdrop of climate change, impending earthquakes and marauding bears, a California family is struggling to navigate the changing dynamics that come with divorce. Alternating between light comedy and emotional outbursts, EATING BLACKBERRIES is an engaging evening of live theatre.

This production is a part of the American Association of Community Theatre’s 10th annual nationwide NewPlayFest. HCT is the only Southeastern theatre to be chosen to take part in the festival.

The actors who will be playing the Ashcroft family are, Hudson Ackerman as Jackson, Lisa Aquino as Sofia, Holley Dagenhardt as Elizabeth and Paul Sapp as Paul. 

The play will run for three weekends, from April 5-20. Performances are at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30pm on Sundays. There is a bonus Thursday performance on April 18 at 7:30pm as well.

Tickets for BARBECUE are $16 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at hickorytheatre.org or by phone at 828-328-2283.

EATING BLACKBERRIES is rated PG-13, with some adult language and themes.

EATING BLACKBERRIES is supported by the United Arts Council of Catawba County through the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the State of North Carolina and from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Hickory Community Theatre’s 75th anniversary season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Green Park Dentistry, Paramount Automotive and Sunbelt Xpress. The Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.

PHOTO: From left: Lisa Aquino, Paul Sapp, Holley Dagenhardt and Hudson Ackerman.