Before the endless juggle of classes, work, studying, extracurriculars, social lives and little amounts of sleep begins, take 70 minutes out of the day and check out the theater department’s production of Constellations, a two-part play by English playwright Nick Payne.
Directed by Sally Story, the theater department’s newest assistant professor, the cast includes Christie Maturo, assistant professor of theater, and Paul Hurley, assistant professor of acting and voice at the University of South Alabama.
“[The play is about] a relationship [that] exists across multiverses. You’re seeing a relationship happening across all of those universes that could change depending on the characters’ lines,” Story said.
Maturo expanded on Story’s point.
“Let’s say one of the characters says ‘yes’ instead of ‘no.’ The play kind of goes through what changes take place depending on that particular character choosing ‘yes’ instead of ‘no,'” Maturo said.
Actress Ruth Wilson and actor Jake Gyllenhaal played the two parts in Constellations on Broadway in 2014 — Wilson was even nominated for a Tony Award based on her performance. It’s also based on a real scientific theory called quantum multiverse, which is the hypothetical set of possible universes, including the universe in which we live.
“The play really lends itself to the audience. It has minimal production value and is very actor-driven,” Hurley said. “We hope people can come out and see it. The audience will really be chasing it along the way, jumping from universe to universe.”
Maturo and Story are excited about the play and hope for a large audience, especially freshman.
“We’re hoping for a bigger turnout because students won’t have homework, the new freshman will be moved in and the school part hasn’t really started yet,” Maturo said. “This play is only 70 minutes long, so even if someone has a lot to do, it’s only a small part of the day.”
The performances take place on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. in Beawood Studio Theatre. Admission is $5.
