The year is 1974 and Meg Magrath is returning to her family home to Hazlehurst, Mississippi after unsuccessfully pursuing a singing career in Hollywood. She enters the house and calls out to her oldest sister, Lenny. As she comes through the kitchen, Lenny greets Meg excitedly, but becomes upset when she tells her that their youngest sister, Babe, is in jail for shooting her husband in the stomach because she didn’t like the way he looked.

Meg, Lenny and Babe are all characters in the play “Crimes of the Heart” by Beth Henley. Twenty five years since its broadway debut, the Tony-award winning play will take the stage again in the SF State Creative Arts Department's first main production on October 11 through October 21 in the Little Theatre.

Directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Arts, Rhonnie Washington, “Crimes of the Heart” is a comedic drama about three sisters from a small southern town struggling through life’s problems while trying to maintain a sense of hope.

After asking students for their opinions and reading different scripts--including “Steel Magnolias” and “The Heidi Chronicles”--Washington narrowed it down to "Crimes of the Hearts," for one reason.

“Like many theater departments, ours is predominately female,” said Washington. “Consequently, there is always pressure to choose plays with roles for women.”

Auditions were held in May and the cast--consisting of six juniors and seniors--has been rehearsing off and on since June, sometimes practicing an upwards of four hours every weeknight. Although Washington has run into several problems throughout the production of the play, he and the cast are about as ready as they can be for opening night.

“A rehearsal process without problems would be scary,” said Washington. “One of the major aspects of directing is managing problems.”

Sheena McIntyre graduated last spring, but came back this semester to play the role of “singing, alcoholic mental patient” middle sister, Meg.

“The women [in the play] are written beautifully and honestly,” said McIntyre. “From the get-go, this is the part that I wanted.”

Theatre major Charlotte Gulezian is excited about the play and thinks it will draw a vast audience due to its variety of characters and the relevant subject of a dysfunctional family.

“It’s an amazing play,” said Gulezian, 27. “I think anyone can relate to it.”

As Lenny, Gulezian takes the role of a mother in the McGrath family, after her father leaves and her mom hangs herself. h

“[Lenny's] supremely self-deprecating, sad, lonely and a nervous wreck,” said Gulezian. “She’s the sister who never left home.”

Jenni Gebhardt plays the role of Babe, the naïve youngest sister who ends up shooting her husband.

“She’s the most positive, happy go lucky of the sisters,” said Gebhardt. “She tries to put a positive spin on everything.”

Gebhardt, who also graduated last spring, wanted to do the play mainly because of Washington.

“He’s one of the most challenging teachers and directors I’ve ever had,” said Gebhardt. “He persuades us to do better and do more.”

Washington said while he’s always striving for more, he’s proud of the work cast has done.

“They have poured their hearts and souls into the rehearsal process and I celebrate their talent and their determination.”

“Crimes of the Heart” will run at the Little Theatre October 11-13 and 18-20 at 8pm and October 14 and 21 at 2pm.