A pre-midlife crisis causes mayhem for young Jack Goldberg as he seeks an unconventional solution in "The Movie Game," an uproarious romantic comedy presented by Bismarck State College Theatre Dec. 5-9.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Sidney J. Lee Auditorium.
BSC casts widely into the community to populate this play produced by Dan Rogers, associate professor of theatre. The actors and artistic personnel come from Dakota Stage Ltd. (DSL), BSC employees, and BSC and University of Mary students.
"By adding this third winter play to our season, we are making new connections and expanding our reach in relation to other colleges and theater groups – in a sense becoming a community theater," Rogers said.
Amber Rae Bernhardt, DSL executive director, has taken over the directing reins and sound design. She said looking at absurdity and laughing can be cathartic and that's what this ensemble offers audiences.
Jack, an unemployed cinema fan, decides to change the boring routine of meeting his lifelong friend, Samantha, at a condemned movie theater every week for Chinese takeout. He also agrees to a therapist, who suggests a radical fix that forces Jack to play the leading man in his own romantic comedy. What starts innocuously, soon escalates into a near "horror" show of farce.
A seasoned BSC-related cast fills the stage with student Charles Ward in the lead role of the disenchanted Jack Goldberg. BSC graduate Kelsey Fredricks plays his best friend Samantha. Nancy Gordon, BSC counselor, portrays Jack's mother Florence. U-Mary student Jeffrey Jung is the preposterous Dr. Seuz. Other BSC student cast members are Dakota Stein as Maggie, Jack's hopeless love interest; Mercer Sage as Jack's father, Frank; Derek Harper and Nathan Kurtti as Blake and Paul, and Amanda Pitzer as Francine.
Dean Bellin, BSC assistant professor of technical theatre, provides scenic and lighting direction with Brandon Wetch as student stage manager.
Playwright is Adam Hummel, a University of Minnesota theater graduate. In 2002, "The Movie Game" was performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the National American College Theatre Festival (ACTF), where Hummel received the Mark Twain Comedy Writing Award. BSC participates each year in one of eight ACTF regional festivals.
The New York Times said, "Through a script that combines humor and heart, laughter and love, the audience is treated to a romantic comedy for the stage that tips its hat to pop culture and pays homage to such classic films as "The Philadelphia Story," "Annie Hall" and "When Harry Met Sally." The Duluth News Tribune described the play as "a screamingly funny and original execution of the romantic comedy genre … "
Reserved seat tickets are $10 or $3 with BSC ID at the box office in Schafer Hall or call 224-5511. Recommended for age 15 and over.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Sidney J. Lee Auditorium.
BSC casts widely into the community to populate this play produced by Dan Rogers, associate professor of theatre. The actors and artistic personnel come from Dakota Stage Ltd. (DSL), BSC employees, and BSC and University of Mary students.
"By adding this third winter play to our season, we are making new connections and expanding our reach in relation to other colleges and theater groups – in a sense becoming a community theater," Rogers said.
Amber Rae Bernhardt, DSL executive director, has taken over the directing reins and sound design. She said looking at absurdity and laughing can be cathartic and that's what this ensemble offers audiences.
Jack, an unemployed cinema fan, decides to change the boring routine of meeting his lifelong friend, Samantha, at a condemned movie theater every week for Chinese takeout. He also agrees to a therapist, who suggests a radical fix that forces Jack to play the leading man in his own romantic comedy. What starts innocuously, soon escalates into a near "horror" show of farce.
A seasoned BSC-related cast fills the stage with student Charles Ward in the lead role of the disenchanted Jack Goldberg. BSC graduate Kelsey Fredricks plays his best friend Samantha. Nancy Gordon, BSC counselor, portrays Jack's mother Florence. U-Mary student Jeffrey Jung is the preposterous Dr. Seuz. Other BSC student cast members are Dakota Stein as Maggie, Jack's hopeless love interest; Mercer Sage as Jack's father, Frank; Derek Harper and Nathan Kurtti as Blake and Paul, and Amanda Pitzer as Francine.
Dean Bellin, BSC assistant professor of technical theatre, provides scenic and lighting direction with Brandon Wetch as student stage manager.
Playwright is Adam Hummel, a University of Minnesota theater graduate. In 2002, "The Movie Game" was performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the National American College Theatre Festival (ACTF), where Hummel received the Mark Twain Comedy Writing Award. BSC participates each year in one of eight ACTF regional festivals.
The New York Times said, "Through a script that combines humor and heart, laughter and love, the audience is treated to a romantic comedy for the stage that tips its hat to pop culture and pays homage to such classic films as "The Philadelphia Story," "Annie Hall" and "When Harry Met Sally." The Duluth News Tribune described the play as "a screamingly funny and original execution of the romantic comedy genre … "
Reserved seat tickets are $10 or $3 with BSC ID at the box office in Schafer Hall or call 224-5511. Recommended for age 15 and over.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.