School of Drama to Perform Three American Plays in Repertory Beginning February 28
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School of Drama to Perform Three American Plays in Repertory Beginning February 28

Plays focus on science in the contemporary world


Susan Heyward and Ashley Sherman play identical twins who are reunited after 36 years of separation in "Slide Glide, the Slippery Slope." The play explores cloning and gene theory.

The School of Drama's 2004-2005 season, which explores scientific ideas and their impact on the world, continues with three American plays in repertory beginning Monday, Feb. 28.

Paul Zindel's "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds," Mojie Crigler's "FZZN GRRL" and Kia Corthron's "Slide Glide, the Slippery Slope," will share a single set and will be performed on a rotating schedule in the Philip Chosky Theater in Carnegie Mellon's Purnell Center for the Arts.


Kylee Rousselot and Claudia Duran star in "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds."
"The notion of staging plays in repertory creates a rich experience both for our students and for our audience," says Elizabeth Bradley, head of the School of Drama. "Each of these three plays tackles our theme of the intersection of science and drama in particular and compelling ways—and unusually, each features female protagonists.

"From Zindel's remarkable 40-year-old play, where 13-year-old Tilly finds beauty in the world through her visions of space, to the very contemporary high-school-age heroine of 'FZZN GRRL,' who is fascinated by the properties of nuclear power, to the twin sisters of 'Slide Glide, the Slippery Slope,' whose world is defined by present issues such as cloning and genome theory—this trio of plays seen together will offer a richness of ideas and emotion in the context of science," Bradley says.

Zindel's "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds," was awarded the 1970 Obie Award for Best Play, the 1970 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best American Play and the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

This powerful, sometimes painful, drama, set against the growing threat of all-out nuclear war, tells the unexpected story of Tilly, a girl who escapes the entanglements of her tortured family in the limitless beauty of scientific discovery. Geoffrey Hitch, associate teaching professor of directing and acting, will direct Carnegie Mellon's production of this highly acclaimed play.

"The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" will be performed on Monday, February 28, Thursday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 25 at 3:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m.


Chuck Hittinger and Jenny Ione star in "FZZN GRRL."
"FZZN GRRL" will have its world premiere at Carnegie Mellon. A post-Columbine exploration of the factors that incubate alienation among young people in contemporary society, "FZZN GRRL" tells the story of Ineke, a prodigiously gifted freshman whose science-fair experiment spins into a nightmare. "FZZN GRRL" was developed in conjunction with the Ensemble Studio Theatre and with the support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Associate Professor of Directing Jed Allen Harris will direct this production.

"FZZN GRRL" will be performed on Tuesday, March 1, Monday, March 14 and Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 18 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m.; Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, March 25 at 8 p.m.

"Slide Glide, the Slippery Slope" investigates questions of nature versus nurture through the story of two African American identical twins who were separated at birth. Each twin carries corrosive resentment, assuming that the other got the better deal in life. When they reunite after 36 years of separation, their assumptions and prejudices are challenged as they are finally forced to look into the mirror image that is each other. The play explores cloning, gene theory and ruminates on race in fiercely poetic language. Mladen Kiselov, associate professor of directing and acting, will direct this production.

"Slide Glide, The Slippery Slope" will be performed on Wednesday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m.; Monday, March 21 and Thursday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m.

To purchase tickets call the box office at 412-268-2407.

Eric Sloss
photos by Joshua Franzos



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