"The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" Performed at Ursinus College as Part of "Dinner and a Show" Program

Ursinus College has once again teamed up with The Collegeville Economic Development Corp. (CEDC) to offer a "Dinner and a Show” promotion, which provides an entertaining and inexpensive night out for Collegeville area residents. Ursinus’s second play this year is the edgy but optimistic comedy The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. It is being labeled a (Small) Show, because it is being held in the Kaleidoscope’s intimate Blackbox Studio Theater, with 150 seats.

Collegeville-area restaurants are offering pre-theater dinner specials to those attending the play, which is being performed on Wednesday, March 20, Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., as well as Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Individuals should make their ticket reservations early, since theater seats are limited, and they are also being urged to make their dinner reservations at an early time at the restaurant they select, so that they have ample time to enjoy both their dinner and the play.

The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe is a poignant, sharp and funny play that is filled with ironic observations exploring the human condition. In this comic and sometimes biting satire, Trudy the bag lady offers wit and wisdom with the help of a diverse group of characters. The play questions what it means to be human in a fast-paced world. Although this play is a moving critique of modern society, it is also a reaffirmation of the human and creative spirit.

Theatergoers who would like to take advantage of the “Dinner and a (Small) Show” promotion should order their tickets from the CEDC web site.

Tickets are $5 each, or $2 for students and seniors age 65 and over. When individuals reserve their tickets online, they will be issued two receipts--one from the CEDC web site, and a second one later from the Ursinus Box Office.  Please show either receipt to your server at the restaurant on the day of the performance to get the dinner special. You will also need the receipt to give to the Ursinus Box Office in order to pay for and pick up your tickets. NOTE:  Theatergoers should arrive at the Box Office at least 15 minutes before the show begins.

Those with no Internet access can order tickets or get more information by calling CEDC Executive Director Rachael Morrison at 610-454-1050 or CEDC Vice President Cathy Kernen at 610-409-0370.

Individuals interested in attending only the show without the dinner special can order their tickets directly through the College’s Box Office by calling 610-409-3030 or by visiting the Box Office web site.

The play, which was written by Jane Wagner, originally featured a cast of comedic characters all played by Lily Tomlin, who earned a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. The play is being directed by Ursinus Professor Domenick Scudera, and will be performed by seven Ursinus students. The play debuted on Broadway in 1985 and won The New York Drama Critic’s Special Award and The New York Drama Desk Award.

Director Scudera received his B.A. with honors in English and in Fine Arts from Colgate University and his M.F.A. in Directing from Pennsylvania State University. He has been an active professional theater artist in the greater Philadelphia region, regularly directing for the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater and the Delaware Theater Company, among many other theaters. He is Resident Director of the Waitstaff Sketch Comedy Troupe and was casting director for the Wilma Theater. He is also a playwright whose work has been performed by Historic Philadelphia Inc., and at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Participating restaurants and the pre-theater dinner specials they are offering are:

Bonjung Japanese Restaurant BYOB – A free special appetizer per table when ordering a main entrée
50 W. 3rd Ave.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-7022

DaVinci’s Pub –10% off your dinner
215 E. Main St.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 831-1955

Lou’s Too BYOB – 10% off your dinner
454 E. Main St.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 831-1248

Marzella’s Pizza BYOB – 10% off your dinner
488 E. Main St.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-4946

My Friends Tavern – A surprise special side
315 E. Main St.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-1808

Osteria Restaurant – 10% off your dinner
3835 Germantown Pike
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-9886

Phamous Phil’s BBQ BYOB – 10% off your dinner
3839 Germantown Pike
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-7675

Thai Basil Bistro BYOB – Free appetizer per table
305 2nd Ave.
Collegeville PA 19426
(610) 489-3633

The Pizza Stop (Carries beer on the menu; BYOB for wine) – 10% off your dinner
222 E. Main St.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-6225

The Trappe Tavern – 10% off your dinner
416 W. Main St.
Trappe, PA 19426
(610) 489-8686

Tortugas Mexican Eatery – 10% off your dinner
305 2nd Ave.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-0600

WIBS Wings Ribs & More BYOB – 10% off your dinner
1850 Collegeville Rd.
Collegeville, PA 19426
(610) 489-1350

The Blackbox Studio Theater is located within Ursinus College’s Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center. Theatergoers should use the Ninth Ave. entrance to the campus and park in the College’s large West parking lot. The Kaleidoscope will be directly ahead. For a printable map of the campus, visit http://www.ursinus.edu/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=383.