Love is such a tricky thing. Whether full of it or lacking it, everyone craves it.
But what exactly is love? There’s so many definitions and catchy love songs that try to define it, yet never do it justice. The only way to define it is to feel it, and even then, everyone feels it differently.
Theatre UCF, part of the UCF School of Performing Arts, presents the new play (a love story) by Kelly Lusk.
(a love story) will run from Feb. 19 to March 1, 2015 in the UCF Black Box.
This piece was written by Lusk as he was completing his MFA in playwriting at Indiana University. It was also selected from readings at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s 2013 PlayFest.
(a love story) follows the tale of six characters that are all finding and dealing with love.
Just like in ancient Greek theatre, a three person chorus narrates the story and plays additional roles.
Director Mark Routhier says this show starts sparkly and has delightful theatricality.
“Kelly [Lusk] has taken the idea of a Greek chorus and given it a contemporary edge. It’s not a realistic straight-ahead presentation; this is a world where animals and plants can talk. And while it is humorous, it isn’t a rom-com vision of love,” Routhier said in a release.
Routhier’s past Theatre UCF credits include last year’s production of Leveling Up and The Best of Enemies.
Actor Eric Eichenlaub, an MFA Acting student, said that the play is “a story about love, just not as you would expect it to be.”
“This is a play about people loving people to the best of their abilities. Loving their children as best they can, loving romantically as best as they can. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fail. But they are always trying,” Eichenlaub said in a release.
Eichenlaub also said that this show is ideal for a university setting.
“From a structural, visual, and character standpoint, this is a vastly different show than you usually see on stage. This play is a conversation starter. It’s for people who have been in love for a long time, it’s for people who have never been in love. But everyone who comes will be able to find something to latch onto,” said Eichenlaub.
Scenic Designer Chris McKinney, senior in the BFA Design and Technology program, said he was quite overwhelmed when first reading the script.
“This play is very complex with many different facets. Each character’s choices affect not only their immediate world, but the world around them. We had to design a set that reflects the fact that each character inhabits their own environment, but also reveals how they are all interrelated,” said McKinney.
The show will run:
Feb. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28 at 8 p.m.
Feb. 22 and March 1 at 2 p.m.
There will be a post-show discussion opening night with Playwright Lusk and Director Routhier.
This show contains profanity, violence, and sexual situations. It is not appropriate for children.
Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors and $10 for students.
“You can’t get this show anywhere else. UCF’s partnership with the Shakes afforded us the ability to get access to a great new script. And we have the freedom to take chances, which is imperative in an academic setting. Not many theaters can take the risk of doing a play like this,” said Eichenlaub.
For more information about (a love story) or Theatre UCF visit their website or contact the box office at 407-823-1500
