PCC Theatre presents STICKS AND BONES Nov. 12-22

 

From: Carder, Carol [mailto:ccarder@pima.edu]
Sent: Thursday, October 8, 2015 10:55 AM
Subject: press release: Pima Community College Center for the Arts - PCC Theatre presents STICKS AND BONES Nov. 12-22

 

Pima Community College Theatre Arts presents STICKS AND BONES, a dark and savagely comic portrayal of a veteran's return from the Vietnam War

 

what: PCC theatre arts presents STICKS AND BONES

where: PCC Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre, West Campus, 2202 West Anklam Road, Tucson, AZ 85709

when: November 12-22, Thu.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m., ASL interpreters available Nov. 19. A free performance for veterans of STICKS AND BONES on Veterans' Day, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited.

general admission: Tickets are $18 with discounts available. 

information: Contains mature themes and language. Box office hours: Tue.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance. 520-206-6986, centerforthearts@pima.edu, www.pima.edu/cfa.

 

Tucson, Arizona--Pima Community College Theatre Arts presents David Rabe's starkly written and award-winning play about a family pulled apart by the return of an injured and emotionally damaged son from the Vietnam War. Using the quintessential model of the American family from the popular radio and television sitcom "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" (1952-1966), he offers up an insight that is both counter to that image and shocking to behold. STICKS AND BONES is directed by Todd Poelstra.

 

David comes back from the war blinded and unable to come to terms with his actions on the battlefield. Ozzie and his wife Harriet are overjoyed to see their eldest son, but David is tortured and broken by his experiences. He is no longer the same young man that went off to serve his country. Younger brother Ricky joins his parents in pretending that everything is normal, but soon the family is overwhelmed, forcing Ozzie to make a stand for the values he can't bear to let go.

 

Rabe's experience as an Army draftee in Vietnam is evident in the authenticity of the script. In describing the intent of the play Poelstra explains that even though we, as a country, are dealing with returning veterans better than in the Vietnam era, it's still an enormously difficult transition from the life-altering experience of military life to civilian life. As a culture, we tend to let the media define what we should believe, but it is rarely the entire reality. Rabe gives us a drastically alternative view of the ideal family that is tragic yet darkly humorous. Poelstra comments, "The script's style lifts the hard political edge of Arthur Miller with the poetic dialogue of Tennessee Williams and the absurdity of Edward Albee. Rabe gives us an introspection of what it is to be human, a parent and part of the larger community. This production invites us to reassess how we've gotten to where we are." STICKS AND BONES won the 1972 Tony Award for Best Play.

 

In addition to STICKS AND BONES, Rabe also won Tony Awards for THE BASIC TRAINING OF PAVLO HUMMEL (1971), IN THE BOOM-BOOM ROOM (1974), STREAMERS (1977) and HURLYBURLY (1985). He also wrote screenplays for CAUALTIES OF WAR and John Grisham's THE FIRM. Overall he wrote 15 plays, seven screenplays and six fictions.

 

A free performance of the play is offered for veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. For information contact the box office 206-6986. 

 

A photo call for the media is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27 at 6 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre. Director Todd Poelstra is available for and encourages interviews: call 520-206-6815 or e-mail: tpoelstra@pima.edu.

 

The Pima Community College Center for the Arts is located on West Campus at 2202 West Anklam Road, Tucson (just west of downtown). For ticket information contact the box office at 206-6986 or centerforthearts@pima.edu.

 

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