The one-man show Mercy Killers coming to WCU

Michael Milligan will perform his one-man show Mercy Killers on WCU campus at 7:30 pm, Thursday, Nov. 12, in in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center.

The play is a story of Joe, a beloved husband, who finds himself fighting the U.S. healthcare system while his wife is dying of cancer. The show demonstrates the struggle with insurance companies and hospitals that earn money on people and do not care for people who are unable to pay.

The idea to bring the play Mercy Killers on campus belonged to Joshua Pickett, a WCU nursing student. With the help of Francis Ann Ortiz-Pineda, director of Campus Programs, and Scott Eldredge, assistant professor at WCU, Pickett reach his goal.

“I was approached by Josh Pickett last year when he was looking for help in bringing this play to campus. After meeting with Josh, I wanted to offer him my support, and I felt the best way to do that would be to help promote the play,” said Eldredge.

WCU students in a public relations course taught by Eldredge, are organizing a supply drive benefiting the Good Samaritan Clinic of Jackson County in Sylva. Audience is encouraged to bring and donate supplies including bottled water, Kleenex facial tissues, Clorox wipes, latex-free gloves and alcohol wipes.

Michael Milligan, has been writing and acting for the theater for two decades. Besides performing in Mercy Killers, he has performed roles in many plays, including The Empty Ocean, Nightlands, and Poster of the Cosmos, for which he received 4 Stars at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Milligan has also appeared at many top regional theaters in America.

WCU students can see the play for free. For the general public the price is $10.