Community Theatre at Woodbury continues its 12 season with a staged reading of “Hemingway’s Promise,” written by B.L. Walker for one weekend only. The reading is performed by a talented cast directed by Sarah Roberts. The final performance will be the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

This production is sponsored in part by the Woodbury Junior Women’s Club.

Robards writes that she first met the playwright, Bettie Snyder (a.k.a B. L Walker,) in 2008 when she filled in for an actor in a play reading at the Sharon Library. The play, called “Demons” at the time, was an early version of “Hemingway’s Promise.” This play reading was Robard’s introduction to what she deems a “deep and thought-provoking play.

“‘Hemingway’s Promise’ is biographical in nature and centered on the imagined last hours of Hemingway’s life and his subsequent suicide,” the director continues. “It deals with themes of family dysfunction, marital infidelities, transgender issues, friendships both close and complicated, and the political and historical upheavals of the time, which influenced much of Hemingway’s life and writing.”

So expect lots of heaviness in this exploration of the final hours of the author’s life, although there are bits of comedy to lighten the mood. As with most biographical plays, I learned so much about the person that it memorializes as it offers insight into their character.

Robards directs this piece in which she has always believed with “efficiency” and a keen eye to the details. I love that the players sit at the side of the stage awaiting their entrances, well lit by operator Dennis Walsh. The final scene of the (offstage) suicide features a variety of important lines delivered on top of each other and is extremely effective.

Will Jeffries (pictured above) makes his CTAW debut in the role of Ernest Hemingway and his performance is a master class in how to fully embody an historical (and flawed) figure. Jeffries has a slew of acting and directing credits (Do you remember him as the evil Damon Grenville on “General Hospital?”) and was memorable in “Frost/Nixon.” It is an honor to watch him perform in any role.

Joyce Schroeder makes her CTAW debut in the role of Hemingway’s mother Grace. Schroeder, who recently played Sister Berthe in Newbury Theater Company’s “The Sound of Music,” describes her character as “a piece of work,” and she hit the nail on the head. Grace is a controlling parent, who gave up a promising singing career to have six children.

Missy Cowan does very well with the role of Hadley Richardson Hemingway, called “Hash,” who was the author’s first wife. The couple wed when he was 22 and she was 28, and were married for six years. Cowan notes in her program bio that Hadley was believed to be Ernest’s one true love, was a friend of the chef Julia Child, and that she was the grandmother to Margaux and Muriel Hemingway.

David Gordon makes his CTAW debut in the role of the editor Ezra Pound. Pound attended the University of Pennsylvania, studying Latin, and became an influencer and Fascist. Gordon recently retired from legal practice and is not pursuing his theatrical interests, including playwriting.

Bibiana Andreu returns to CTAW to play the second wife of Hemingway, Pauline Pfeiffer Hemingway. The stylish Pauline held a degree in journalism and wrote for Vogue magazine. The two were introduced by F. Scott Fitzgerald and had two sons together.

In his CTAW debut, Alex Gellweiler takes on the role of the youngest son of the author, Gregory/Gloria, a person questioning their gender. His character went on to become a medical doctor and have eight children. Gellweiler attended the Hartford Conservatory for Musical Theater and acted onstage at The Gary-The Olivia Theater in Bethlehem. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has worked in film and television.

Woodbury resident Caitlin Williams has a wonderful stage presence in the role of the third wife of Hemingway, Martha Gellhorn Hemingway. Williams serves as President of the Board of Directors at CTAW.

What a delight it was to see the talented Roger Grace in the role of Gary Cooper. Grace returns to CTAW to take on this role. Recent credits include Peter Quince in Sharon and Albin in “La Cage” at the Arts at Angeloria’s.

The story is told in one scene, Hemingway’s living room in Ketchum, Idaho. It takes place in one day, Sunday, July 2, 1961, between the hours of midnight and dawn.

Kris Geddes served as the producer and stage manager of the performance and spoke to the audience before and after the show. Lighting and sound design was done by Bill Geddes.

Robards, who has been a Woodbury resident since 1986, kept in touch with the playwright through the years and planned to bring it to CTAW in June of 2022. When COVID affected several cast members, the reading had to be postponed. Sadly, B.L. Walker, who was looking forward to attending a performance, passed away shortly thereafter.

The script contains some strong language and explores mature themes, including suicide. It is recommended for adult audience. The script was copyrighted in 2016.

“Hemingway’s Promise” is presented without an intermission. It closes on Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. at Woodbury Old Town Hall, across from the Post Office. The address is 5 Mountain Road in Woodbury. Tickets at ctaw-ct.org Donations for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are accepted in hopes of halting the so called “Hemingway curse.”

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She was a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417Check out the CCC Facebook page.