Local actors perform Tony-winning play
ESCANABA — Local actors are giving light to a Tony–Award winning play.
Actors with Players de Noc present the Upper Peninsula’s debut of God of Carnage. Previously a Broadway play, the four–character performance has only one act but keeps the drama rolling.
Sparked by a fight between their young sons, the Novak’s invite the Raleigh’s over to discuss what to do next. A realistic situation erupts in conflict as the couples turn on each other and begin to identify flaws in their spouse.
“It’s got a little bit of edge to it, some profane language to it,” said Director Steve O’Driscoll. “That’s not necessarily the edge that I was admiring about it, it just has a little bit of the realism you don’t see in a lot of theater pieces. This is more of a glimpse inside of real life. You can actually feel like you’ve been in a situation like this.”
“I think the thing about this play is that everybody has things about them they don’t like and they have moments where they might feel or think things that they would never verbalize,” actor Jessica Pelto said. “In this play, we’re verbalizing those things, even if they wouldn’t do exactly the same things, we all have those low moments that we don’t talk about, but they’re there and we all know it.”
The four actors vary in experience. While Pelto is debuting, Mark Cowman has performed in over sixty productions and believes every actor can offer something to every character.
“Every actor brings a different set of tools to the character they play and a different set of experiences so everybody’s interpretation is going to be different,” actor Mark Cowman said. “Each actor who is worth a darn getting up there and cares about what they’re doing is going to bring a different truth to the character.”
With well over one hundred hours dedicated since February, each actor is excited for the prospects that the show, and their future acting careers, hold.
Opening night is Friday, April 26 at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Theater at 8 a.m. There will also be performances April 30, May 5, 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 1.