God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, won the 2009 Tony award for best play, and is being produced by Darien Arts Center Stage for a three-weekend run. A child hitting another child becomes the impetus for two sets of parents to meet and discuss the circumstances. The conversation that takes place is a wild roller coaster ride of emotions serving up a very healthy dose of humor. With pitch perfect dialogue, the play is thought provoking and will resonate with anyone who is a parent in today’s world as well as anyone who is collaborating with their fellow humans to get things done.
DAC Stage members selected God of Carnage for production in part because it is a sophisticated and thoughtful show for our audience as they will be able to relate to the actors’ plight. Additionally, two audience talkbacks have been scheduled to discuss the sequence of events in the play with special guest Maud Purcell, a psychotherapist from The Life Solution Center of Darien. Purcell, along with cast members and the director, will be leading a discussion after the performances on November 8 and 21.
According to Purcell, “ The audience gets to see a scenario acted out that could actually happen… they will be watching the whole thing in real time and it will really hit home – emotionally as well as intellectually”. Purcell, the director and cast members will share their experience with the audience during the discussions.
Graham, who has directed over 100 productions, feels that “God of Carnage is an ‘of the moment play’… a comedy that addresses real contemporary issues that challenge the audience. It is a play I have really wanted to direct, and we have an extraordinary cast that is having great fun with the script and characters.” The cast, Larry Reina, Jessie Gilbert, Eileen Lawless and Gary Betsworth, consists of seasoned actors with a depth of experience that truly makes the play come alive.
Tickets can be purchased at darienarts.org or by calling the box office at 203-655-5414. Performances are at 8 pm on November 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22nd with matinees at 2 pm on the 9th and 16th. The Darien Arts Center Weatherstone Studio is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Darien Town Hall.