| VACATION
GONE WILD: LSU STUDIO THEATRE TAKES A SWING AT REALITY TV
September 23, 2004
 BATON
ROUGE -- LSU Theatre tackles reality TV as its Studio Theatre Season
continues October 22-31 with Christopher Durang's dark comedy, Betty's
Summer Vacation, directed by LSU student Alex Beck.
When Betty arrives at the seashore looking forward to a relaxing
stay, things go from bad to worse as some uninvited housemates draw
her into the midst of mayhem, madness, and even murder.
"It's about how the media effects us," says Beck. "Reality
TV has conditioned us to find funny those things that we would ordinarily
find revolting."
Throughout the play, Durang uses an unusual theatrical device to
influence the characters. Voices from behind the walls convince
Betty and the guests to take drastic actions. They do things they
would never ordinarily think of doing, no matter how violent or
repulsive.
"It's important to keep the characters honest," says
Beck, "Betty is the normalcy."
Originally produced in 1999, the Off-Broadway premiere of Betty's
Summer Vacation earned four Obie awards and a Drama Desk nomination
for Outstanding New Play.
Durang is known for his wicked, hilarious sense of humor and with
Betty's Summer Vacation, he continues his tradition of shockingly
entertaining plays like Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for
You and Baby with the Bathwater.
Betty's Summer Vacation is intended for mature audiences only.
Performances run October 22, 24, 26-29 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee
on October 31 at 2 p.m. in Theatre 150 at the Music and Dramatic
Arts Building on the LSU campus. Tickets are available one hour
prior to performances for a suggested donation of $6.
More information is available at (225) 578-4174 or www.theatre.lsu.edu.
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