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STARK DRAMA INFECTS LSU THEATRE'S STAGE WITH BEIRUT
 September
8, 2004
Deadly diseases, profanity, and nudity are not the first things
that come to mind when one thinks of LSU Theatre's Studio Season.
But nevertheless, the season opens with Alan Bowne's Beirut from
September 24 through October 3 in Theater 106 at the Music and Dramatic
Arts Building.
Set in the Lower East Side of New York City, Beirut chronicles
the story of two lovers in the midst of a recent nameless disease
outbreak similar to AIDS. To contain the outbreak, law officials
send the infected to the Lower East Side, aptly dubbed Beirut by
the residents, to live life in exile. Stripped of all personal freedoms,
they are each forced to live in a sterile, cubicle-sized room with
government issued clothes and food.
"Beirut is not only about a relationship between two people,
it's about risking death to feel more alive," says director
and theatre performance senior Rebecca Many. "This is not a
clean play. It's vile, bitter and gritty, while still extremely
poetic and beautiful at the same time."
Beirut starkly portrays a conflict of love and protection as Blue,
the uninfected young woman, risks everything to be with her quarantined
lover, Torch. She gives up her normal life in the city to be with
him. In doing so, risks her health for their love.
"A lot of times, theatre doesn't portray real life, but this
is a glimpse of something real," says Many. "This is a
glimpse of two people who love each other so much that they risk
their lives to be together no matter what the consequences are."
This production is suggested for mature audiences only due to the
content, graphic language and partial nudity. Performance times
are Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. September
24 through October 3 in Theatre 106 at the Music and Dramatic Arts
Building on LSU's campus. Tickets are available at the door one
hour prior to performances, and a $6 donation is suggested per patron.
More information is available at (225) 578-4174 or www.theatre.lsu.edu.
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