Tragedy: a tragedy (A Play by Will Eno)

Photos courtesy Upper Jay Arts Center

Upper Jay Art Center (UJAC) and Recovery Lounge Presents TRAGEDY: a tragedy (a play by Will Eno), December 7 through 11th at the UJAC in the heart of Upper Jay.

Will Eno’s play, Tragedy: A Tragedy, takes satirical aim at the artifice and showmanship of broadcast news and the 24-hour news cycle. When it first debuted in the U.S. at Berkely Rep, it evoked comparisons to Beckett and won praise for its skewering of the trend toward sensationalism and fear-mongering in broadcast news.

Flash-forward nearly 15 years, and we are now in the era of “fake news” and “alternative facts,” UJAC seems right on time to present this parody of newsy foolishness. Reporting live on an unfolding crisis is Fran in the Studio, aided by her team of field reporters: John in the Field, Constance at the Home, and Michael, the Legal Adviser. As the impending event approaches and chaos builds, the broadcasters reveal themselves to be all too human. Will Eno’s Tragedy: A Tragedy hilariously transcends fact-in-fiction in search of universal truths about the world–and times–we live in.

UJAC’s production is directed by Gabrielle Schutz, with projection and scenic design by Andrew Murdock. The cast features performances by local and guest actors: Clara Elser, Linda Murphy, Levi Julian, Magdalen Zinky, and Vinny Mraz

Showtimes

• Wednesday, December 7th (preview performance) 7 pm

• Thursday, December 8th (7 pm)

• Friday, December 9th (7 pm)

• Saturday, December 10th (7 pm)

• And a matinee on Sunday, December 11th (3 pm)

For more information about the performances, visit UJAC’s website.

This production is Underwritten by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, which is “Dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park.”