Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre kicks off its 2013-14 Fights of Fantasy season with the mystical tragedy, “Widows” by former Chilean exile Ariel Dorfman.
“Widows” takes audiences into a town without men, where women suffer the psychic and emotional torture of not knowing what happened to their fathers, husbands, brothers and sons, all of whom were abducted by a military regime. While the military refuses to acknowledge the disappearances and promises to bring prosperity if only the women will behave, one woman, Sofia, defiantly waits by the river for her men. As Sofia sits in tireless vigil, bodies begin magically appearing in the river, forcing the regime to answer for their crimes.
The play is directed by Ann Folino White, assistant professor of theater studies and directing. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17-19; at 8 p.m. Sept. 20; at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sept. 21; and at 2 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Department of Theatre’s Arena Theatre, which is located in the MSU Auditorium.
There will be a post-show discussion on Sept. 19 following the performance and a pre-show director’s talk at 1:15 p.m. Sept. 22. This One Book, One Community event will feature a discussion of the thematic parallels between Kevin Powers’ war novel, “The Yellow Birds” and “Widows.”
Tickets are available at the Wharton Center Box Office. The ticket office at the Arena Theatre opens one hour prior to the show with doors opening 30 minutes prior. Adult tickets are $13; student tickets are $10; and senior (60+) tickets are $11.