Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will honor its foundress, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, when it produces its fall play, “I Sleep, But My Heart Watches,” Oct. 16-19.

The production, which includes music, comedy, tragedy and farce, features four young students exploring ways to celebrate Guerin’s canonization. As the ideas flow, Guerin and her companions come to life on stage.

Sharon Ammen, Ph.D., SMWC associate professor and theatre director, adapted “I Sleep, But My Heart Watches” from the life and letters of Mother Theodore Guerin. The play was originally produced in 1998 to celebrate Guerin’s beatification.

“The production was inspired by the whimsical idea of using a Gilbert and Sullivan patter song, ‘I Am the very Model of a Modern Major General,’ and changing the words to ‘Modern Mother Theodore,’” Ammen said.

While “I Sleep, But My Heart Watches,” was originally created to honor Guerin, this year’s production will honor the memory another member of the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College community. 

Sue Pietrus, SP, Ph.D., who was a professor of music and director of the College’s Chorale and Madrigal ensembles, assisted Ammen with the development of the original production. After Mother Theodore Guerin was canonized on Oct. 15, 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI, Ammen and Pietrus made plans to revisit the piece, but, sadly, Pietrus passed away on Sept. 13 after a brief battle with cancer. Ammen and the other members of the SMWC community who are involved with the production will present it in Pietrus’ memory.

“In the new production, Sister Sue intended to accompany the Madrigals, with Dr. John McIntyre conducting his original composition,” Ammen said. “We are saddened at the recent tragic loss of Sister Sue, and we will present the show in her honor.”

“I Sleep, But My Heart Watches” will be presented in the Cecilian Auditorium of the SMWC Conservatory of Music building on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and children 12 and over; children 11 and under are free. Students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Ivy Tech Community College will also be admitted for free with a valid student ID. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are also available.  Tickets can be reserved in advance or purchased at the door.

To reserve tickets or to get more information, contact the SMWC Music and Theatre Information Line at 812-535-6211.