University Players to Perform 'Recent Tragic Events'

The University of Scranton Players will present “Recent Tragic Events” by Craig Wright, the story of Andrew and Waverly, two shy young people in Minneapolis, Minn., who are about to embark on a blind date on Sept. 12, 2001.

The University of Scranton Players will present its second production of the season, “Recent Tragic Events” by Craig Wright, which tells the story of Andrew and Waverly, two shy young people in Minneapolis, Minn., who are about to embark on a blind date. As if the awkwardness of such a date weren’t enough, it’s Sept. 12, 2001, and Waverly’s sister may or may not have been in the World Trade Center the day before. It isn’t until their arrival that Andrew’s favorite writer and Waverly’s aunt, renowned author Joyce Carroll Oates (portrayed by a sock puppet), that the two are able to deal with the events of Sept. 11 and maybe their date. This charming piece provides an off-kilter and refreshing look at how we deal with life after tragedy.

The cast features local students: Jeremiah Mullen, Joe McGurl, Camille Reinecke, as well as first-time University Player, Megan Lasky

The production staff for Recent Tragic Events includes Richard Larsen, producer/set designer/lighting designer; Janice Tellier, costume designer; Conway Rowe, sound  designer , Xiomara Rolon, stage manager, assisted by Nicole Lopez-Isa and Kelly Dillon as assistant stage managers. Sheila Stasack, (“Fuddy Meers” and “Eleemosynary”) returns to Scranton to direct this production and is assisted by Kiley Lotz.

Performances are on Friday, Nov. 9, Saturday, Nov. 10, Friday, Nov. 16., and Saturday Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 18, beginning at 2 p.m. All performances will take place at The University of Scranton’s Studio Theater in the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts.  Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens. For more information, contact the box office at (570) 941-4318.