Players ‘Durang 101’
promises big laughs
at expense of classics

FARMINGTON — The Sandy River Players of Farmington invite you to take a college class in comedy — specifically the comedy of playwright Christopher Durang who said, “Laughter can give you a new perspective.”  The Players will present an evening of four one-act plays set up to mock a college lecture called “Durang 101.”  Prof. Wik E. Pedia will give brief narratives about the plays which are being performed by a local theatre group called The Muddy Brook Players.  Audience participation in the class discussion will be encouraged, but Prof. Pedia promises no surprise quizzes.

The plays to be presented are four of Durang’s best-known one-acts, and all are parodies of famous literary classics: “The Hardy Boys and the Mystery of Where Babies Come From,” “Desire. Desire. Desire.”, “Medea,” and “For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls.”  These are plays with adult language and mature content.  

The Alumni Theatre on the University of Maine at Farmington campus will be transformed into a lecture hall and performance space for this production, which runs from Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31.  The “class” will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.  “Tuition” will be $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors.  

Co-directors Robin Lisherness and Karen West said  that they are particularly proud of their actors who have taken on the roles of technicians as well.  In true community theatre spirit, the cast is also working as costumers, prop managers, sound crew and set builders.  And in a long-standing tradition, UMF students are working with the Sandy River Players. Recent graduate and secondary education major Nicole Clark has learned to program lighting cues specifically for this production, and junior art major Gabby Garnier is painting scenery to resemble book jackets for the four plays.

“Students” – aka audience members – are reminded not to be late because Prof. Pedia takes his comedy class seriously!