Stoops makes directing debut in 'Crimes of the Heart' at Mansfield Playhouse

Scott Stoops will make his directorial debut the next two weekends with "Crimes of the Heart," the latest production from the Mansfield Playhouse .

Stoops is a familiar face to Playhouse patrons, but as an actor. He said he had been considering directing the last couple of years but had not had the opportunity to do so.

When Playhouse artistic director Doug Wertz reached out to him recently, Stoops jumped at the chance.

"As a director, I've got an opportunity to look at the big picture," he said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I would definitely do it again."

Winner of a Pulitzer Prize, "Crimes of the Heart" is set in Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital.

Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at 30 and facing diminishing marital prospects. Meg, the middle sister, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast, while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after shooting her husband in the stomach.

Their troubles, grave and yet, somehow, hilarious, are highlighted by their priggish cousin, Chick, and by the awkward young lawyer who tries to keep Babe out of jail while helpless not to fall in love with her.

In the end, the play is the story of how its young characters escape the past to seize the future.

Playing the three sisters are Amy Sharp, Mary Kettering and Liana Ashbrook. Stoops cast them.

"We've got a good story and hope that people will come out to see it," he said.

The play will be offered at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as the same time May 17-18. For more information, visit mansfieldplayhouse.com or call 419-522-2883.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Stoops makes directing debut in 'Crimes of the Heart' at Mansfield Playhouse