MOKENA, IL — Put four adults in a room to calmly resolve a conflict between their children. Add strained marriages, bruised egos, questionable parenting, a ringing cell phone and a little alcohol. What begins as a perfectly reasonable conversation can only end one way: CARNAGE.
Curtain Call Theatre will present Yasmina Reza's wickedly funny, Tony Award-winning comedy 'God of Carnage' September 25–27 and October 2–4. The show is directed by Jo O'Brien.
The premise seems simple enough: After one 11-year-old boy hits another with a stick on the playground, their parents meet to discuss the incident like mature, responsible adults. They are educated. They are polite. They are civilized ... for about five minutes.
As pleasantries give way to passive aggression and passive aggression gives way to something considerably less passive, alliances shift, marriages crack and the adults prove that playground behavior isn't necessarily something we grow out of.
Dark, biting and painfully recognizable, 'God of Carnage' turns a well-intentioned conversation between parents into an increasingly unhinged examination of marriage, manners, parenting and the thin veneer separating civilized society from absolute chaos. It's the kind of evening where everyone arrives determined to do the right thing…and leaves having said several things they'll regret, or do they?
Curtain Call Theatre's production adds another layer to the battle of personalities with two casts appropriately dubbed ID and EGO, each taking the stage for one weekend.
The ID Cast, performing September 25–27, features Josh Maywin, Ashley Ries, Heidi Drennan and Anthony Uzzardo.
The EGO Cast, performing October 2–4, features Josh Maywin, Patti Goodson, Caitlin Weinert and Gabe Goldman.
Audiences can choose their preferred psychological dysfunction or see both casts and decide for themselves which group descends into chaos more spectacularly.
Written by acclaimed French playwright Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, 'God of Carnage' premiered in London before making its Broadway debut in 2009, where it earned the Tony Award for Best Play. Its razor-sharp dialogue, rapidly shifting loyalties and gleefully uncomfortable humor have made it a favorite of theatres around the world.
At its heart, God of Carnage asks an unsettling question: How civilized are we, really, when someone insults our child, our spouse, our career, our values — or our dessert?
Curtain Call Theatre invites audiences to come find out. Just remember: the children started it. The adults make it worse.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Curtain Call Theatre: 11112 Front St, Mokena, IL 60448
Tickets are $22; the show runs approximately 80 minutes.
Performance Date and Times:
*God of Carnage contains adult language and themes and may not be appropriate for younger audiences.*
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ccctheatre.com or call the box office at (708) 607-2281.
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