Riverside's Coffee and Hope opens tomorrow

Riverside - When the woman you love is battling cancer, sometimes all you have is coffee and hope.

Riverside Theatre will present the premiere of Coffee and Hope, written by Resident Artist Ron Clark and directed by Kevin Harris. The production will run October 24 – November 9. Tickets are available at the Riverside Theatre box office at (319) 338-7672 or online.

With candor and humor, Coffee and Hope explores what it means to stand beside a woman you love in a time of crisis. Five actors play thirteen compelling characters, all based on interviews with men about their experiences as cancer caregivers. From one man’s misguided attempt to build a homemade prosthetic to another’s windshield-smashing rage, these ordinary guys have extraordinary tales to tell.

Clark, who also performs in the play, said that audiences will meet some inspirational characters. “Over twenty men were interviewed, and their individual stories were woven together to create these fascinating characters. Throughout the play we see them overcome their own fears and inadequacies, and ultimately triumph as guys who exceed their own expectations as caregivers for the women they love.”

These characters not only share their experiences through stories, but also through song. The play includes three original songs with lyrics by Clark and music by Deb Tiemens. In addition, Coffee and Hope also features the talents of Tim Budd, John Watkins, David Q. Combs, Brian Bentz, and Sarah Hinzman.

Check back after the weekend for a review of the show.