2008 Woodie Awards
'Relatively Close' to make world premiere at Center for the Performing Arts
Tyler Larson
Issue date: 11/7/07 Section: News
The brand new work of playwright James Sherman, entitled "Relatively Close," will make its world premiere at the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre this Wednesday.
"Relatively Close" will mark the first time the ISU School of Theatre has collaborated on a production with Chicago's Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater.
"It is really an honor to work with them," Don Lacasse, director of "Relatively Close," said.
"They really have a great reputation up around that area, so for us to do a project together, especially an official opening, is special," Lacasse added.
The play, which runs through Nov. 10 at ISU, will be given its professional world premiere at the Biograph Theater in Chicago on June 6 by Victory Gardens Theater, where Sherman is an ensemble member and resident playwright.
The program has been a long process as casting began the weekend prior to the beginning of classes with rehearsals starting the first week of classes.
It was during this first week that Sherman himself came down to go over some of his own thoughts and interpretations for the actors.
"All cast members are ISU students, so to have Jim Sherman himself come down to speak to the actors was a big deal," Lacasse said.
After the play finishes up at ISU, the whole set will be sent to Chicago for the professional opening, Lacasse said.
James Sherman was a theatre student at ISU during the mid-70's, and had his first ever play presented at Allen Theatre before he left to go to Chicago to take a job as a professional actor and playwright.
Don Lacasse was also at ISU during this stint as a theatre professor and director, and he got to know James Sherman while he was enrolled.
"When the first pitch was made for the play I was extremely interested in directing it, and I'm very pleased I got the job," Lacasse said.
The play, Lacasse says, features a two-ensemble cast with only seven major characters featured in the play.
"The play is centered on three sisters who return to a summer house shortly after their mother and father have both passed and are trying to decide what to do with the house," Lacasse said.
For ISU students looking to have a good time and see a brand new play, this is your opportunity.
"I think it sounds really interesting. To have a world opening at ISU is pretty special," Michael Beard, a sophomore biological sciences major, said.
"Relatively Close" will mark the first time the ISU School of Theatre has collaborated on a production with Chicago's Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater.
"It is really an honor to work with them," Don Lacasse, director of "Relatively Close," said.
"They really have a great reputation up around that area, so for us to do a project together, especially an official opening, is special," Lacasse added.
The play, which runs through Nov. 10 at ISU, will be given its professional world premiere at the Biograph Theater in Chicago on June 6 by Victory Gardens Theater, where Sherman is an ensemble member and resident playwright.
The program has been a long process as casting began the weekend prior to the beginning of classes with rehearsals starting the first week of classes.
It was during this first week that Sherman himself came down to go over some of his own thoughts and interpretations for the actors.
"All cast members are ISU students, so to have Jim Sherman himself come down to speak to the actors was a big deal," Lacasse said.
After the play finishes up at ISU, the whole set will be sent to Chicago for the professional opening, Lacasse said.
James Sherman was a theatre student at ISU during the mid-70's, and had his first ever play presented at Allen Theatre before he left to go to Chicago to take a job as a professional actor and playwright.
Don Lacasse was also at ISU during this stint as a theatre professor and director, and he got to know James Sherman while he was enrolled.
"When the first pitch was made for the play I was extremely interested in directing it, and I'm very pleased I got the job," Lacasse said.
The play, Lacasse says, features a two-ensemble cast with only seven major characters featured in the play.
"The play is centered on three sisters who return to a summer house shortly after their mother and father have both passed and are trying to decide what to do with the house," Lacasse said.
For ISU students looking to have a good time and see a brand new play, this is your opportunity.
"I think it sounds really interesting. To have a world opening at ISU is pretty special," Michael Beard, a sophomore biological sciences major, said.
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