SU Theatre Presents 'The Marriage of Bette and Boo' November 9-19

Wednesday October 25, 2006

SALISBURY, MD---When playwright Christopher Durang set out to write a humorous biographical account of his parents’ marriage, he had no idea the result would be hailed as his best work.

Salisbury University’s Bobbi Biron Theatre Program brings the that work, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, to the Black Box Theatre from Thursday-Sunday, November 9-12 and 16-19. Curtain is 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. for Sunday performances. R. Andrew Heller, communication and theatre arts faculty, directs.

The cast includes Karla Elliott, Megan Murray, Zachary Coffman, Emily Jablonski, Alexis Morrell, Danny Shawll, Adam Adkins, Jennifer Tilley, BJ Hoyle and Steve Drapalski. Megan Davis stage manages.

During the black comedy a young man, Matt, exams his so by deconstructing the marriage of his parents. In doing that, Matt “releases a virtual carnival of events, circumstances, choices, and emotions,” said Heller. “I use the idea of Circus Freaks as a metaphor for families. Our memories tend to exaggerate the events yet clarify our feelings.”

First performed at the Public/Newman Theatre during the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1985, the Obie Award-winning play follows the title characters and their families through marriage, divorce and ultimately Bette’s death. Characters range from the domineering to the meek to those who simply haven’t got a clue. The original production went on to win the prestigious Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner Award for the best play of the year dealing with social, religious or political issues.

USA Today calls the play “demented and compassionate … wise, hysterical and incredibly sad.” “Christopher Durang … has rarely written anything funnier or more serious than his mordant comedy The Marriage of Bette and Boo,” said The New Yorker.

Admission is $10, $8 for seniors during Thursday performances, $12, $10 for seniors during all other performances. SU ID holders receive one ticket free.

For reservations call the SU Box Office at 410-543-6228. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.