International Art Exhibit Debuts Friday with DAC Play 'God of Carnage'

The Darien Arts Center (darienarts.org) is presenting two simultaneous shows that expose the fragility of civility. God Of Carnage, Yasmina Reza’s comedy and winner of the 2009 Tony Award for best play, begins its run produced by DAC Stage on Friday, Nov. 7.

At the same time, the DAC will debut Connecticut’s first viewing of The Smallest Witness: Drawings from the Children of Darfur, an international art exhibit seen by over 100 million people worldwide.

In God of Carnage, two couples meet in one couple’s upscale Brooklyn apartment to discuss a fight between their 11-year old-sons, a conflict leaving one boy with two broken teeth.

Their attempt to reach closure with the incident soon devolves into chaos. Christopher Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, “The bell rings. Pleasant chatter begins. Coffee and pastry are served. But the gentility soon gives way to the hurling of insults ... physical assault, wanton destruction of a cellphone, rampaging battery by tulips and other assorted forms of bad behavior.”

In the DAC Stage presentation, Gary Betsworth, Larry Reina, and Norwalk residents Jessie Gilbert and Eileen Lawless expertly play the shifting alliances among the couples under the experienced direction of Mark Graham. During the couples’ meeting in the play, one of the women makes mention of a book about Darfur, and has led to the DAC hosting the international art exhibit.

The Smallest Witness: Drawings from the Children of Darfur exhibit has toured galleries and museums internationally. This heartrending and gripping collection of drawings was created when Dr. Annie Sparrow, a pediatrician working for Human Rights Watch, first gave paper and crayons to refugee children from Darfur.

According to Dr. Sparrow, “The drawings have a scale and sophistication that belies government claims and have a credibility that speaks for itself.” The original drawings from her personal collection will be available for viewing immediately before and after each production of God of Carnage.

God of Carnage, by Yasmini Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, is being performed at 8 p.m. on Nov. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22 with matinees at 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 and 16. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at darienarts.org or by calling the box office at 203-655-5414. Performances are at the Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio, located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Darien Town Hall.

Pictured are (from left to right) Larry Reina, Jessie Gilbert, Eileen Lawless and Gary Betsworth in God of Carnage by Yesmina Reza at the DAC.

Photo credit: Jeffrey Wyant.

Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or visit darienarts.org.