"The Haunting of Winchester"

WORLD PREMIERE :San Jose Repertory Theatre


Tamra Hayden as Sarah Winchester
(Photo by Kevin Berne)


"She brings a tremendous range and complexity to the character of Sarah," says director, Michael Butler.

"In her book and lyrics...Mary Bracken Phillips (with help from composer Craig Bohmler) turns the Winchester mystery on its ear. This whimsically humorous Sarah Winchester is not obsessed or deranged or fending off ghosts in a struggle for sanity; she's a woman bequeathed the sudden gift of creative freedom who devotes that gift to her "career" (as a sort of ghost therapist). The plays genius is in taking Sarah Winchester the "curiosity" and making her a warm, rather down-to-earth woman whose strong suit, with the help of actress Tamra Hayden, is compassion."

Marianne Messina, Metro Silicon Valley


"Tamra Hayden...is a charmingly sweet, troubled Sarah Winchester, growing stronger and more determined as she comes to terms with the ghosts...Her singing voice is full, strong and attractively flexible."

Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle





(Photo by Kevin Berne)

"Hayden brings Sarah to life through her full, lovely singing voice... Through her encounters with Kerrigan (Dan Sharkey), Hayden develops from shy to feisty to loving... The love story between Kerrigan and Sarah builds quite believably, through the power of Sharkey and Hayden's performances, especially in their moving love duet "A Peak in Wyoming," in which Phillips's always fine lyrics approach sheer poetry...the show was altogether entertaining, romantic, and, yes, thought-provoking."

Phyllis Butler, CurtainUp.com


"Hayden and Sharkey generate enough chemistry to light the state through the next energy crisis during the ``A Peak in Wyoming'' number. Their smoldering flirtation keeps the show focused..."

Karen D'Souza, Mercury News







Tamra Hayden as Sarah Winchester, Dan Sharkey as Jack Kerrigan, Lizzi Jones as Marisa
(Photo by Kevin Berne)


Lizzi Jones (Marisa) watches while Tamra Hayden (Sarah Winchester) and Dan Sharkey (Jack Kerrigan) play the ouija board.
(Photo by Eric Luse)



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