The filthy rich

The schemes of a powerful family provide the backdrop for Lillian Hellman's expose about the dangers of a society ruled by excess, as The Little Foxes comes to Playhouse 19 this weekend.

By JORGE SANCHEZ

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 20, 2001

The story of a power-hungry Southern family comes to Playhouse 19 this weekend with Lillian Hellman's Little Foxes.

[Times photo: Steve Hasel] Director Greg Wilker, right, who plays William Marshall, proposes a toast in a scene from Little Foxes, which hits Playhouse 19 this weekend. Others in the scene are, from left, Jacki Hull as Birdie, Jackie Tompkins as the scheming Regina Hubbard Giddens, Steve Bowman, standing, as Oscar Hubbard, and Juanda Marsh as Addie.

First performed on Broadway 60 years ago The Little Foxes is a scathing portrayal of the Hubbard family, whose lives are ruled by deceit and greed. The story takes place as the family makes plans to garner even more wealth by gaining control of a lucrative cotton mill. The scheme, however, serves as a basis for Hellman acrid expose about the dangers of living in a society ruled by excess.

The scathing melodrama is cold and cynical, exposing a family of evil people who seem to taint everything they touch with their venom.

The Little Foxes, whose name is taken from a passage in the Song of Solomon, has quite a background. Tallulah Bankhead portrayed the lead character, Regina, onstage when the play opened on Broadway in 1939. In the movie version released in 1941, Betty Davis took over the role.

The Playhouse 19 cast includes Jackie Tompkins, as the scheming Regina Hubbard Giddens, Robbie Bradley as Horace Giddens, Jenny Sneed as Alexandra Giddens; Juanda Marsh as Addie, Jacki Hull as Birdie Hubbard; Steve Bowman as Oscar Hubbard; Kevin Gorinshteyn as Leo Hubbard; Greg Wilker as William Marshall; David Easter as Benjamin Hubbard and Robbie Bradley as Horace Giddens. Wilker is also the director.

At a glance

The Little Foxes at Playhouse 19, 865 U.S. 19 S, Crystal River. Play runs Thursdays through Sundays from tonight to May 13. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays and on May 5. Tickets are $12. Call 563-1333.

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