This is Your Life

UI - We don't normally cover University of Iowa theatre in this blog because we're a small group and we have to draw the line somewhere. At the same time, we're not big proponent of "rules" here at the Iowa City Theatre Blog, and the play sounds interesting, so here's some information for you.

The University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts presents This is Your Life, a new play by MFA Playwrights’ Workshop member Greg Machlin as part of its Gallery Series.

This is Your Life, directed by Joe Luis Cedillo, is a new play about Garrett, a young writer going through a “quarterlife crisis,” who tries to figure out why his own relationships have failed where his parents have succeeded. With the help of his more grounded sister, Abigail, Garrett conjures up the world of his parents—Berkeley of the turbulent 1960s—and watches as Tony (a writer), Patrick (a conductor), Natalie (an English grad student), and Jenny (a musician), all try to make their way and forge relationships as the roaring sixties become the troubled seventies. Mixing the present and the past proves dangerous when one character discovers what the future holds—and Garrett and Abigail’s present may never be the same.

According to Mr. Machlin, the show appeals to all generations. “It’s not every day you see both baby boomers and their kids onstage, and some of the parallels between the challenges we face and they face are interesting. It’s a very timely piece. I also think that this play is sympathetic to the political causes of the 60s. This Is Your Life gives you a sense of who these people are, and why they’re doing what they’re doing.” Of particular importance are the events of Kent State in May 1970, which has a significant effect on the characters in the story.

“What attracted me to Greg’s play is it takes on the notion of the grass being greener on the other side—and wanting to actually go see it,” says Mr. Cedillo. “It is about love, choices, and consequences and how our historical moment plays into that. I’m excited by how theatrically adventurous the play is, the drama informs the comedy and vice versa. I’ve had a great time working with the talented ensemble of actors and equally talented artists behind the scenes.”

This is Your Life has its world premiere in Theater B at the University of Iowa Theatre Building, The University of Iowa, 107 Theatre Building, Iowa City, IA 52242-1795 on Thursday, February 21 thru Saturday, February 23 at 8:00 PM and on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 2 PM. All performances are for $6.00 general admission ($4.00 for Seniors, UI Students, and Youth).

Come decked out in your favorite throwback 60’s or early 70’s outfit for the performance on Friday, February 22. All participating hippies, groovy groovers and counter-culture heroes will have their photos taken and projected on stage following the evening’s performance as they rock out to a mash-up of evocative era favorites compiled by the This is Your Life production team. Images will also be posted on the show’s Facebook page. Additionally, the public is invited to interact with the cast and members of the creative team for a Talkback following the performance Saturday, February 23rd.

Cast:
Lauren Baker - Natalie
Corey Homewood - Stan, ensemble member
Rob Keech - Patrick
Suzie Kemper - Patty, ensemble member
Maggie Scrantom - Abigail
Layne Sheetz - Garrett
Whit Smith - Tony
Elise Vaux - Jenny

Go here for more information.