The play centers on Carmen Ruiz, a rich and powerful New York City business woman who, when the curtain rises, awakes to find herself in a cell-like room with no idea how she got there. Her only contact with the outside world is a hand, and together she and the hand embark on a journey through her past, discovering some startling truths about her life.

Background on the writer/actor duo

Don Cook began writing Stigmata decades ago when he and Divina were active in the Detroit theater scene. But he put the script aside while the couple concentrated on their day jobs – he was a Detroit-based automotive film and speech writer, and she moved east to carve a niche for herself in the New York City theater scene. For the next few years, they made monthly trips between Detroit and New York City.

Divina has performed in numerous Off-Broadway shows as well as in regional theaters across the country. She also has appeared in feature films, including Scent Of A Woman, The Paper, and 24-Hour Woman, and on many New York City-based television shows, including Law And Order, the Conan O’Brian Show (voice-over), Sesame Street and The Guiding Light.

Both of the Cooks retired and are living in Charlotte, and Don finally found the time to finish Stigmata. A reading of an early draft was well received at Actors Theatre, but the first production of Stigmata, which was supposed to be at Theatre Charlotte two years ago, was cancelled when Divina was diagnosed with cancer.

After fully recovering from multiple surgeries, she appeared in two Warehouse productions, in which she wowed the audiences and critics alike, and then directed two Warehouse shows, and now is ready to take on the demanding solo role in Stigmata.

WANT TO GO?

The play opens Sept. 8 and runs through Sept. 25 at the Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Rd., Cornelius.

Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

General Admission is $20, or $15 for seniors, students and groups.

For reservations, call 704-619-0429 or email tickets@warehousepac.com