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WAYNE – The Wayne State College Theatre Program will present two satirical one-act plays Thursday through Sunday, March 27-30, in the Black Box Theatre, located on the lower level of the Peterson Fine Arts Building on campus.
Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 per person, and tickets are available at the door. There are no reserved seats.
“The Actor’s Nightmare,” by Christopher Durang, is a comedic glimpse into George’s mistaken identity as an actor’s understudy. Without warning, George finds himself on stage where he can’t remember his lines, recall rehearsing, or find out the production’s name. Scenes inexplicably shift from “Private Lives,” to “Hamlet” to “A Man for All Seasons,” forcing George to improvise. He tries desperately to escape this horrible ordeal, convinced it is just a bad dream. “The Actor’s Nightmare” confronts the fear of failure and inadequacy.
The play runs approximately 30 minutes. “The Actor’s Nightmare” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
“WASP,” by actor-comedian Steve Martin, is a cynical parody of 1950s societal culture. An acronym for White-Anglo-Saxon Protestants, “WASP” reveals a family deeply rooted in tradition. Dad is the authoritative parent. Mom is the perfectionist homemaker, characteristic of the era’s gender inequality. The son idolizes his dad yet longs for his affection.
The daughter mirrors her mother’s low self-esteem and lack of self-worth. All yearn for validation, intimacy and personal identity. The risks of emotional reticence and stifling restraint are on full display. “WASP” contains mature content.
