AC Theatre to stage Lillian Hellman’s acclaimed drama The Little Foxes

The ruthless schemes of a dysfunctional family emboldened by greed are laid bare in Lillian Hellman’s acclaimed play The Little Foxes, which the Amarillo College Theatre Arts Program will present four times later this month.

AC students will perform The Little Foxes Feb. 22-25 at the Experimental Theatre on the Washington Street Campus. The three-act play will begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-24, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.

The play’s 10-member cast is under the direction of Ray Newburg, longtime program coordinator, who says Hellman’s searing tale of family betrayal that made its Broadway debut way back in 1939 has relevance yet today.

“Good pieces of literature stand the test of time; they don’t show their age,” Newburg said. “This play contains certain universal aspects of human behavior, of family dysfunction and greed, that are very recognizable today.

“This will appeal to audiences who like watching a good suspense story and like rooting for good people to prevail over dastardly people,” he said. “Some will, some won’t. It’s a good story with semblances of melodrama, but Hellman has kept the situation very realistic; sometimes corrupt people win.”

The Little Foxes has been produced five times on Broadway and has featured such luminaries as Tallulah Bankhead, Anne Bancroft and Elizabeth Taylor in the leading role of Regina Hubbard Giddens. Additionally, a film adaptation starring Bette Davis received nine Oscar nominations.

“She obviously is not as well known, but Lillian Hellman really held her own against contemporaries like Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller,” Newburg said. “The Little Foxes is not only intricately suspenseful and filled with social and familial intrigue, but it gives our students an opportunity to expand their understanding of dramatic literature and expand their repertoires.”

The cast contains a mix of veterans and newcomers to AC’s theatre arts stage, including a number of students who received significant recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for performances they turned in during the Fall Semester of 2023.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students (college or high school) and AC employees. They can be purchased online or at the door. Additionally, groups of 10 or more are entitled to $6 seats if purchased at least 24 hours in advance.

Cast members are:

Hanin Eisawi as Addie

Steven Nguyen as Cal

Gracie Richardson as Birdie Hubbard

Austin Pounds as Oscar Hubbard

Declan Robledo as Leo Hubbard

Brionna Todd as Regina Hubbard Giddens

Ashton Flores as William Marshall

Kyle Roberson as Benjamin Hubbard

Zoey Cain as Alexandra Giddens

Connor Frausto as Horace Giddens

The stage manager is Josh Hodge.