Theatre Dept. Presents Performance Pieces

NEWS

West Virginia University at Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive Parkersburg WV 26104
Phone: 304-424-8203 | Fax: 304-424-8315

Theatre Department to present March 5-7 performance pieces.

CONTACT: Andrew Clovis, Theatre Department, 304-424-8295.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Theatre Department will present “The Story As Told,” two performance pieces about communication, on March 5-7.

Showtime is 8 p.m., March 5 and 6, with a 2 p.m. matinee on March 7. All performances are in the college theatre. To be performed are The Unexpected Man, by Tony Award Winner Yasmina Reza and Joyce Carol Oates’ critically acclaimed Tone Clusters.

"Reza’s The Unexpected Man is a charming character study of our search for meaning through the identification with another’s story and ultimately, through that, with another," director Andrew Clovis noted.

It is also a study of reading and writing, of art, artists and the delicate struggle of ownership that occurs between the creator of a story and the recipient. Composed primarily of internal monologues, this full length one-act finds Martha, a woman in her “twilight years” traveling from Paris to Frankfurt with a copy of her favorite author’s recent novel, and, unexpectedly, with Paul, the author of that novel, in her compartment. Along the way, both characters reflect on loneliness, anger, aging, loss, union and the importance of keeping dreams alive.

Sarah Brown of Mineral Wells, WV, plays Martha. Sarah may be familiar to local audiences from her work at the theatre at Marietta College. Parkersburg resident Kaleb Smith, a veteran of several productions for the Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg and the Showboat Becky Thatcher, portrays Paul.

Tone Clusters questions the search for meaning in the story of others but in a vastly different context with very different results. Frank and Emily Gulick’s 22-year-old son, Carl, has been accused of the violent rape and murder of a 14-year-old. The Gulicks attempt to relate the story of how this event has transformed their lives in the context of a television interview being tapped before a studio audience. By exploring the haunting, haunted and complex relationships of its three characters as they try to make sense of this violent murder, Oates gives insight into media exploitation, deluded faith and the extremity of our insecurity when faced with mysteries we cannot explain.

Layla Halfhill of Parkersburg makes her third appearance with the WVU Parkersburg Theatre Department as the Interviewer. New to the WVU Parkersburg stage are Rob Boone of Belpre, as Mr. Gulick and Renee Powell of St. Marys, as Mrs. Gulick. Both Rob and Renee have several theatre credits outside of the college to their respective credits.

The production is designed and directed by Clovis with Sheilia Blackwell as the company stage manager. Patrick Garvey serves as technical assistant for the production. Production crew members are Adonirum Defibaugh, Rose Follette and Angel Velasques, members of the University Players class, which gives academic credit for involvement in the college productions.

Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. WVU at Parkersburg staff, faculty and students may purchase tickets in advance for $1.00. Tickets may be purchased in the College Business Office (424-8223) between 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. Both plays are intended for mature audiences.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Communications/Public Relations
(304-424-8203)