The final production of the 15th season of the twice-yearly, edgier UnMasked offerings from Mask & Mirror Community Theatre will be R. T. Robinson’s The Cover of Life, directed by Stan Yeend and opening July 10, 2026, at the theater’s venue for UnMasked productions: Tualatin United Methodist Church, 20200 SW Martinazzi Avenue, Tualatin. The drama will run for 4 weekends through August 1 with performances on Friday nights at 7:30 and Saturday matinees at 2:00. Note that no UnMasked shows will occur on Saturday nights or Sundays.
The Cover of Life is a compelling drama based on true 1943 events about three young, rural Louisiana war brides (Tood, Weetsie, Sybil) living with their mother-in-law, Ola Cliffert, while their husbands are off at war. Their quiet life changes when Life Magazine owner Henry Luce, intrigued by a local news story of the women keeping the home fires burning, sends a female reporter, Kate Miller, to profile them, prompting all the women to reevaluate their independence in a male-dominated society. Miller’s haughty urban attitude gives way to sympathy as she begins to understand the young brides while coming face-to-face with her own powerlessness in a man’s world. The action of this deeply affecting story about the struggle for self-worth takes place in various locations over several weeks in Sterlington, Louisiana, a very small town.
Playwright Robinson based the character of Tood on his mother, who continues to go by that nickname. According to the playwright’s nephew, Stephen Miller, who mounted a successful revival of the play, Aunt Ola’s character is also based on the playwright’s mother, and Kate Miller’s character is named after one of his aunts.
Director Stan Yeend’s cast features Cassidy Gray as the dreamer-with-aspirations Tood Cliffert; Savannah Wakeman as the religious, dutiful, and ever-so-proper Weetsie Cliffert; Orion Corinne as the flashy and sexually provocative Sybil Cliffert; and Laura Reeves as their supportive, critical-of-her-sons mother-in-law Aunt Ola Cliffert. Francine Raften will portray the sophisticated Life Magazine reporter Kate Miller; Janell Herman will portray the energetic small-town photojournalist Addie Mae; and Joshua King will portray Tood’s husband, sailor Tommy Cliffert.
Jodi Johnson will be Stage Manager, and tech crew includes Sophie Duntley as Production Manager, Kathryn Stevens as Props Mistress, Bryce Bristow for Lighting/Sound Design, Steve Hotaling as Lighting/Sound Operator, and Jodi Johnson as Costume Designer.
Director Yeend states, “When I was first asked to direct this show, I was inclined to say ‘no, thanks.’ I usually prefer to direct only shows I pick. Shows for which I have an established feeling. But then I read the script and was immediately on board. The Cover of Life is based on the playwright’s true family story about three women and their struggle for self-worth in rural 1943 America. Funny, profound, tragic – this play has a bit of everything. I can’t wait to bring it to life with this extraordinary cast. Come see The Cover of Life; you won’t regret it!”
Mask & Mirror Community Theatre is a 501(c) nonprofit performing company, so your support is greatly appreciated. Additional information and tickets can be obtained by visiting www.maskandmirror.com.
