No matter what your taste may be, there is a little something for everyone at
“Our New Play Spectacular.” From the comedic to the dramatic, this event offers a wide range of original plays.
Produced by UCSD student Jonathan Josephson, this collection of new plays represents the best of the undergraduate theater community. Over 40 plays were submitted for consideration and in the end nine were selected to be performed.
On Feb. 20 at 11 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 7 p.m., “Spectacular A,” the first of a two part series, will be performed. “La Ventana,” written by Natasha Wilder and directed by Grace Kim, is the first play on the program. This play starts with Nina’s pet rat, Luna, getting eaten by her pet snake, Tobey, and twists and turns from there. The second play in the production is “Ya No Te Estoy Creyendo,” written by Heatherly Esh and directed by Tom Lord. This will be followed by “Shangri-la and What Remained,” written by Andrew Kircher and directed by Doug Wong. On Feb. 21, there will be additional site-specific plays performed.
“Spectacular B” will be presented Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. “Birthday Suits,” written by Kate Bartkiewitz and directed by Eugene Cheung, is about a typical, or maybe not-so-typical, 21st birthday party. “Sunshine Smile,” written by Brendon Chung and directed by Lindsey Lashe, tells what happens when you mix four outlaws with love and a hangover. Finally, “Lie Awake,” written by Anglea Shaddix and directed by Bill George, takes a look at the things that keep one woman up at night. There will also be site-specific works presented at the end of the program on Feb. 20.
All of the productions will be held in Galbraith Hall 157 in Revelle College and are free of charge. Productions without site-specific work last about one hour and 20 minutes, and productions that include site-specific work last about two hours.
While the performances are free, it is recommended that you make reservations in advance at http://onps.bravehost.com/form.html. Reservations made the day of the show will not be honored.
This is the final weekend to participate in the first ever new play festival. These productions include the hard work of over 40 people, from undergraduate writers, directors and actors to the faculty and graduate students who have given guidance and support along the way.
If you need even more reason to check it out, every night there will be a free raffle with a chance to win tickets to regional theater events around San Diego.
Editor’s note: Jonathan Josephson is a staff writer for the Guardian.
