URI Theatre to present Small Tragedy

KINGSTON, R.I.—September 25, 2008–The University of Rhode Island’s prize-winning Theatre Department announces the Rhode Island premiere of Small Tragedy. Its playwright, Craig Lucas, also wrote Prelude to a Kiss and Reckless.


Small Tragedy captured the Obie Award (N.Y’s Best New Off-Broadway Play in 2004). Extraordinarily probing, powerful and often amusing, the play, set first in Cambridge, Mass. and finally New York City, follows six young people, three men and three women, as they rehearse an adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex discussing justice, denial and the acceptance of responsibility. From the mid to late 1990’s they become friends and lovers as the audience witnesses how the themes of Greek tragedy merge with some truths about the Bosnian War to impact irrevocably on their personal lives.


Associate Professor Bryna Wortman (Grapes of Wrath, Angels in America), will direct the production. Costume design is by Marilyn Salvatore, scenic design is by Max Ponticelli, lighting design is by Associate Professor Christian Wittwer and sound design is by Michael Hyde.


A MATChat, short for matinee chat, with the director, cast, designers and crew will follow the Oct. 12 performance at 3 p.m. The interactive chat will give audience members an opportunity to ask questions.


If you would like to be included on the theatre mailing list, call 401.874. 5921.


Members of the cast, their characters, and hometowns follow:


Cast, Character, Hometown


Benjamin Grills, Hakija, Westerly

JonPaul Rainville, Christmas, West Kingston

Benjamin Gracia, Nathaniel, E. Providence

Kira Arnold, Paola, Fairfield, Conn.

Jolie Lippincott, Jen, Westerly

Autumn Gillette, Fanny, Manchester, Mass.


Understudies


Gregory Infussi, Hakija, N. Providence

Travis Greene, Christmas, N.Kingstown

Michael DeBartolo, Nathaniel, Bethel, Conn.

Hillary Scofield, Paola, Kensington, N.H.

Julia Bailey, Jen, Plaistow, N.H.

Kira Hawkridge, Fanny, Woonsocket