Director's Play - "Fraternity"
Stamford (CT) Theatre Works presents the world premiere of a provocative new play about identity and religious barriers entitled "Fraternity," written and directed by Steve Karp, STW's founder and producing director. It runs April 27 through May 15.
Amidst the backdrop of dramatic change in the 1960s, a Jewish freshman at a New England college is rushed by a fraternity trying to overcome its anti-Semitic traditions.
"Fraternity" is based on Karp's own experience at Tufts University. "The conflicts in the play deal with my own sense of being a Jew, issues of selling out my religion, and guilt about joining a fraternity that up until this time had not taken a Jew," Karp said. "It's also about breaking barriers, leading the way for others."
He added, "The barrier wasn't so much the guys in the fraternity, but the chapter adviser, who was older and a former president of the national fraternity. He did not want to open it up and cleaved to the powerful, nationwide organization's 'WASP clause.'"
The cast includes Matthew DeCapua as Sam Katz, a Jewish college freshman; Jamie Proctor as Betsy Kay, who is interested in Sam; Jason Schuchman as Eddie Solomon, Sam's roommate; Jake Mosser as Don Curtis, a member of the fraternity rushing Sam; Mark Thornton as Larry Clinton, the president of the fraternity who believes it needs to change it ways; and Ian Blackman as Noel Richards, fraternity adviser who believes in preserving its exclusion policy.
"Fraternity" was originally workshopped in STW's "Windows on the Work," a new play development program, in 2001.
Tickets are $20-$33. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; matinees Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.; first Sunday only 7 p.m. (May 1). Free parking.
For More Information:
Sponsor: Stamford Theatre Works
Phone: 203-359-4414
Email:
stwct@aol.com
Website:
www.stamfordtheatreworks.org
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