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| The cast of the dept. of Theatre and Dance production of “The Altruists” includes, from left, (front) Jonas Barranca as Ethan (middle) Steve Brachmann as Ronald, Daniel Astacio as Lance, Elena Box as Sydney and (top) Madison Osgood as Cybil and Caitlin Molloy as Audrey. The show opens Nov. 5. |
An acclaimed dark comedy by Nicky Silver will be the next offering in the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance at SUNY Fredonia.
“The Altruists” opens Friday, Nov. 5 in Bartlett Theatre at Rockefeller Arts Center. Director Tom Loughlin describes the play as “a modern adult farce — a dark comedy that skewers left-wing political causes.”
The play follows a group of young political radicals who find themselves in a situation that threatens their ability to continue their activism and challenges their morality.
“The five characters in the show are mainly vacuous, self-absorbed people who, under the guise of political correctness, behave in nothing but self-serving ways,” Loughlin said.
He noted the play was chosen for the Mainstage series because “taken as a whole, it serves as a reminder that hypocrisy is not reserved for one political side or another, and that there is a wide gap between mouthing political slogans and taking political action in your life.”
“The Altruists” is the work of Silver, an American playwright who has earned consecutive Drama Desk Award nominations. His work has also been nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and the New York Daily New dubbed him “the bad boy of Off-Broadway.”
The department of Theatre and Dance is forewarning patrons that the play contains adult language and situations. It is not recommended for anyone under 17.
The cast includes Daniel Astacio (Lance), Jonas Barranca (Ethan), Elena Box (Sydney), Steve Brachmann (Ronald), Caitlin Molloy (Audrey) and Madison Osgood (Cybil).
The all-student production team includes assistant director Elizabeth Muench, scenic designer Nick Menge, costume designer Danielle Waterman, lighting designer Jess Bertollo, sound designer Amine Hechehouche and technical director Drew Vangenderen.
“The Altruists” runs for six performances. Dates and times are Nov. 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. It is sponsored by M&T Bank as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season.
Tickets are available through the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 (1-866-441-4928) or online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
