Linfield College will open its 98th theatre season with “An Evening of Short Plays” by Lauren Gunderson on Sept. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Marshall Theatre in Ford Hall.
“Damsel and Distress Go to a Party,” “Or Not,” “Two Chairs” and “Two Pigeons Talk Politics” are written by America’s most produced living playwright, Lauren Gunderson. The plays are directed by adjunct professor of theatre Douglas Soderberg ’79.
In “Damsel and Distress Go to a Party,” three women, played by freshmen Savannah Morton and Adele Stireman and sophomore Jennifer Furrow, get ready to go out on the town, apply their make-up and grumble about the many faces – like “Pretty Face” or “Power Face” or “Political Face” – women are expected to wear to meet the world.
In “Or Not,” Gunderson explores what happens when a modern-day Horatio faces interrogation about the death of Hamlet. This play features freshmen Koa Tomich and Robert Santos.
In “Two Chairs,” Gunderson looks at ‘the short way to a happy ending’ by chronicling, in a matter of minutes, the lives of Jake and Gretchen, played by sophomores Nathan Dillon and Elise Martin , over twenty-two years.
In “Two Pigeons Talk Politics,” high above New York City, Gary and Paul, played by senior Christina Godinez and junior Claire Hamada, ponder the meaning of it all.
Throughout all of these plays, Gunderson entertains and challenges worn out stereotypes.
All tickets are $5, with a special price of $3 for students on opening night, and seating is reserved. Tickets are available at www.linfield.edu/arts starting Sept. 11 and in the Marshall Theatre Box Office beginning Sept. 18.
Located in Ford Hall, the box office is open Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. For more information, call 503-883-2292. The Marshall Theatre is fully accessible.
