Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present the Tennessee premiere of God of Carnage, winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play. Written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, this scathing comedy is a recent major motion picture release (Carnage, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet). God of Carnage runs February 4 – 18 at TPAC’s Johnson Theater (with preview performances February 2 - 3).
In God of Carnage, two sets of parents get together to calmly discuss the bad behavior of their young sons (one hit the other) and they soon descend into an immaturity that, by contrast with what they say they are trying to be, is perfect parody of self-important politically correct grown-ups. The play asks the questions: What are we REALLY like underneath, when on the outside we’re pretending to be adults in a civilized society? What happens if we are driven to drop the façade? What would happen if we all said what we really think, unfettered by the constraints of politeness?
It is human nature, red in tooth and claw. Yasmina Reza—the writer who drew maximum laughs from Minimalist art in Art—uses her corrosive wit to strip away the thin veneer of civilization in this Tony Award-winning comedy of manners… without the manners.
“This is the one play I knew we’d do the moment we could get rights for it—sharp dialogue and characters requiring exceptional acting that makes us really look at ourselves and our behaviors.” says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland. “God of Carnage is an acting tour de force, and I am especially excited by a play that offers four meaty roles. The best part of my job is getting to work with terrific actors in amazing roles, so I look forward to sharing the acting talent that can drive this one home. Human nature needs to be poked with a sharp stick now and then—I Iove the way this play does that. Quite simply, this Tony winner is one of the most scathingly funny plays out there today, revealing and reveling in human nature, and one that Middle Tennessee deserves to see in its own backyard.”
The production stars David Alford in his dramatic return to the Tennessee Rep stage. Alford last starred in David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross for which he was voted Best Local Actor in The Tennessean’s “Toast of Music City” Awards.
"From an actor's standpoint, it's pretty rare that you come across a play like God of Carnage,” says Alford. “Four great roles with really specific, well-defined characters in a compelling story that you know is going to resonate with an audience. The play's beautifully structured, and it's going to be a real workout for the actors. It's been a while since I've read something and thought 'I really want to do this.' I can't wait to jump in."
In addition to Alford, the cast features Jeff Boyet, Shannon Hoppe, and Shelean Newman.
Performance Schedule:
Thursday, February 2, 6:30 pm (PREVIEW)
Friday, February 3, 7:30 pm (PREVIEW)
Saturday, February 4, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 7, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 PM
Thursday, February 9, 6:30 PM
Friday, February 10, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 11, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Tuesday, February 14, 6:30 PM
Wednesday, February 15, 6:30 PM
Thursday, February 16, 6:30 PM
Friday, February 17, 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 18, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Tickets Start at $42.50 (start at $11.50 for students with valid ID, some restrictions apply). Tickets are on sale at the TPAC Box Office (at 505 Deaderick Street, Downtown Nashville). Tickets are available by phone at (615) 782-4040 or internet order at www.tennesseerep.org.
Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, please visit www.tennesseerep.org.
