Epic Presents Premiere Of LIFE SUCKS

Epic Theatre Company is tackling a new adaption of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya with Aaron Posner's Life Sucks. Posner, the playwright behind Stupid F**king Bird, has turned his attention from The Seagull to one of Chekhov's most famous characters in a play that looks at family, friendship, and frustration-with an Epic style, of course.

"We configured our entire Spring season around this show," says Epic Artistic Director Kevin Broccoli, "When it became available to us, there was no way we could pass it up. Aaron Posner already made a splash in Rhode Island with Stupid F**king Bird and this play is even further proof that he's a mad genius in the way he approaches these classics. After the Gamm's profound production of Vanya, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to present a post-modern look at the play."

Epic's production features a few Easter eggs-some clever nods to previous productions of Chekhov's play.

"One of the first full-lengths I ever wrote was an adaptation of Vanya," says Broccoli, "It was called The House in Providence and it was presented at Mixed Magic Theatre. Two of the actors from that show are appearing in Life Sucks, as well as Paula Faber, right on the heels of her appearance in Uncle Vanya at the Gamm. The play is so iconic, it's great to have an acknowledgement of its long history-even locally-in the way that it's cast."

Christopher Plonka (3C) is directing after appearing in Epic's Red Speedo and Marshall. The cast includes Justin Pimentel (House Arrest), Anastasia LaFrance, Johnny Cicco, Hannah Lum (House Arrest), Geoff White (Barbecue), Laura Ash Benjamin (James Franco and Me), and Paula Faber (Equus).

Life Sucks will be performed at Theater 82 located at 82 Rolfe Square, the home of Epic Theatre Company, on April 13th, April 14th, April 15th, April 27th, April 28th, May 4th, May 5th, May 11th, and May 12th.

*Epic Theatre Company seeks to bring provocative contemporary work to Rhode Island as well as new perspectives on classical theater. We strive to continue the tradition of "event" theater, where each production has built-in excitement both for the audiences and the artists involved.

**Epic is a proud member of the Rhode Island Theater Alliance (RITA) and is the Resident Theater Company at the Artists Exchange in Cranston, RI.

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