St. Dunstan’s Theatre Guild of Cranbrook will be presenting Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, translated by Christopher Hampton, from March 7-22, 2014. Jeff Davison is the Director of this this award-winning “action-packed, knockout farce” (Wall Street Journal) that has become an international hit and major motion picture. “I am very excited to bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning comedy God of Carnage to St. Dunstan’s” said Davison, adding “this hysterical international hit is a perfect addition to a phenomenal season”.
Following a playground altercation between two 11-year-old boys in Brooklyn’s upscale Cobble Hill neighborhood, the parents agree to meet to discuss the situation civilly – “practice the art of co-existence” rather than “slaughter each other with insurance claims.” However, the veneer of polite society soon falls away as the two couples (played by Marc Rosati-of Riverview, Kendall Doman of Bloomfield Hills, Ben Feliciano of Berkley and Janie Minchella of Sterling Heights) regress to childish accusations, bullying and bickering themselves. The New York Times raved about the Broadway premiere: “Reza’s streamlined anatomy of the human animal incites the kind of laughter that comes from the gut, as involuntary as hiccups or belching.”
With a set designed by award winning Monika Essen of Detroit, and a talented crew including Pam Richards (producer), Kathleen Warner (assistant director) Tom Pagano (Apprentice Director), Obie Burch (lighting designer), Paul Dorset (Prop designer), God of Carnage is sure to be a hit.
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Originally written in French and entitled Le Dieu de Carnage, God of Carnage premiered in German (as Der Gott des Gemetzels) in December 2006 at the Zurich Schauspielhaus Switzerland, directed by Jürgen Gosch. The play was staged throughout Germany, including at Das Berliner Ensemble, before making its French-language debut at the Théâtre Antoine-Simone Berriau in Paris in January 2008. Reza’s long-time collaborator Christopher Hampton translated and adapted an English-language version that premiered at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End in March 2008. Directed by Matthew Warchus and starring Ralph Fiennes, Tamsin Greig, Janet McTeer and Ken Stott, the production won the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Hampton further adapted script for an Americanized edition, which premiered on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in February 2009. Directed by Warchus and originally starring Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini and Marcia Gay Harden, the production was such a hit that the limited engagement was extended seven months before converting to an open ended run, becoming the third longest running play of the 2000s with 24 previews and 452 regular performances. Nominated for six 2009 Tony Awards, the production won Best Play (Reza’s second win), Gay Harden won Best Leading Actress in a Play and Warchus won Best Director of a Play. The international popularity of the play led to a film adaptation called Carnage, which premiered in Italy at the Venice Film Festival before being released in the United Stated in September 2011. Written by Reza with director Roman Polanski, the film starred Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz. The play premiered in the Bay Area at San Jose Rep in March 2012.
FACTS & CALENDAR INFORMATION
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WHAT St Dunstan’s Theatre Guild of Cranbrook presents GOD OF CARNAGE
WHO By Yasmina Reza | Translated by Christopher Hampton Directed by Jeff Davison Featuring Marc Rosati, Janie Minchella, Ben Feliciano and Kendall Doman
WHEN March 7-22, 2014 Opening Night: Saturday, March 7, 2014
Performance Days March 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22 8:00 pm March 9 & 16 at 2:00 pm
WHERE St, Dunstan’s Theatre Guild of Cranbrook, 400 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, Mi. 48302
ABOUT Following an altercation between their 11-year-old sons in Cobble Hill Park, Annette and Alan Raleigh agree to meet Veronica and Michael Novak to discuss the situation civilly – practice the art of co-existence rather than slaughter each other with insurance claims and lawsuits. However, the veneer of polite society soon falls away as the couples begin to regress to childish accusations, bullying and bickering in this action-packed, knockout comedy, which won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play and 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.
TICKETS $18 (discounts available for Seniors and Students) and can be purchased by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS or by going to www.stdunstanstheatre.com
