The University of Rochester International Theatre Program will open its production season with George F. Walker's Escape from Happiness 8 p.m., Thursday Oct. 19, in the Todd Theater in Todd Union on the University's River Campus. The play will run at 8 p.m. on Oct. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28, and 3 p.m. on Oct. 22.
Escape from Happiness is a darkly comic vision of the struggles of one very idiosyncratic family to achieve wholeness, peace, and stability in the face of a complex and adversarial world. Walker's viciously funny satire cuts straight to the heart of urban anxiety.
The play is part of Walker's "East End Trilogy," which includes three comedies about the same family. Escape from Happiness is one woman's crusade to put an end to police brutality and another woman's attempt to thwart that campaign.
Nigel Maister, associate director of the International Theatre Program, will direct the production, with set and costume design by Clay Brown. Lighting design will be done by Ryan Mueller; composer and sound designer is Obadiah Eaves.
Tickets are $8 general admission, $7 for seniors. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or reserved online at www.rochester.edu/College/ENG/theatre or by calling (585) 275-4088.
For more information contact the Todd Theatre Box Office at (585) 275-4088 or the Theatre Program web site at www.rochester.edu/College/ENG/theatre.