Theatre Pro Rata to Stage GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD This Spring
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 25, 2017
Liberally adapted from Nikolai Erdman's 1928 play The Suicide, Goodbye Cruel World is a farce that draws its humor from death. After an offhand remark from Semyon Semyonovich Podsekalnikov is ridiculously misinterpreted, the entire town soon believes him to be a suicide risk. Rather than trying to talk him out of it, everyone encourages him to commit the deed for their own ends.
The play was banned by Stalin for poking fun at the Communist Party and ?its revolutionary extremism. Ultimately, Erdman was exiled to Siberia, effectively ending his career in the theater.
When asked what drew him to the play director Andrew Chambers said, "It's a well-adapted story that made me laugh out loud. The compelling backstory of the play and playwright didn't hurt either." Discussing the play's dark subject matter he added, "The script is worthwhile to produce because in our culture suicide can be a taboo, overly stigmatized subject which is not easily discussed and frequently is not discussed at all. The use of farce helps cushion the topic and the adaptation makes it accessible."
Derek Meyer stars as the hapless Semyon. The also cast features Elizabeth Efteland, Katie Kaufmann, Jim Ramlet, Ben Tallen, and Edwin Strout.
Since 2001 Pro Rata, Latin for "in proportion," has produced smart, vivid, varied, and gutsy theater in the Twin Cities. Focusing on the text of the play, the company offers performers and audiences the chance to engage the characters, themes, and language more completely. Ranging from classic dramas to modern black comedies, Theatre Pro Rata produces scripts that bring visceral theatrical experiences to the stage.
Theatre Pro Rata utilizes a unique sliding scale for ticketing, allowing patrons to name their own price from $14 to $41.
Penniless and jobless, Semyon makes an offhand remark about dying following a marital spat over leftovers. Soon half the town thinks he has announced his intent to end his life. As word spreads, an increasingly ridiculous series of powerbrokers urge him to commit the deed in the name of their own ignoble causes. Based on "The Suicide" by Nikolai Erdman-a satire banned by Stalin on the eve of its premiere and written by a man who would be exiled for writing it-this colloquial adaptation begs us to consider who is the highest bidder when a man has nothing to lose.
PERFORMANCE CALENDAR:
Saturday, March 11 @ 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 12 @ 7:30 pm
Monday, March 13 @ 7:30 pm (Pay What You Can Performance)
Friday, March 17 @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 18 @ 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 19 @ 7:30 pm
Friday, March 24 @ 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 25 @ 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 26 @ 3:00 pm
All shows at The Crane Theater, 2303 Kennedy St NE, Minneapolis MN 55413.
General admission tickets on a sliding scale from $14 to $41 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.theatreprorata.org.
For reservations or other questions, call (612) 234-7135 or email info@theatreprorata.org.
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