University Playhouse Presents "the bird and the bee"

For Immediate Release/11-02-09/Brent Lyday

University Playhouse Presents "the bird and the bee"

Commerce, TEXAS – “The Bird and the Bee,” a funny, yet troubling and tragic pair of one-act plays by Al Smith and Matt Hartley, will hit the University Playhouse studio theatre in the Texas A&M University-Commerce Performing Arts Center Nov. 12-14th and 19-21st at 8 p.m., as well as Nov. 15 and 22nd at 3 p.m.

“The play is both hilarious and tragic, and shows the audience two very different perspectives on the same event,” said Dr. Carrie Klypchak, play director and assistant professor at A&M-Commerce. “The play is steeped in contemporary popular culture and focuses on many issues in today’s world. It looks at the power and complexity of social networking sites, such as facebook, and really deals with a lot of tough issues faced by younger adults today.”

Klypchak has conducted a trans-Atlantic online conversation with the playwrights to insure the best possible local production of “The Bird and the Bee,” in what will be only the second American production of the plays.

The plays are based on two struggling young people who have developed a relationship over the Internet and are dealing with multiple issues. Although Jakob and Chloe, the characters in the play, have never met, they fall in love. Audiences may even hear resemblances to Romeo and Juliet, which “certainly influenced some of my directing choices,” Klypchak said.

“We have a great cast of very talented actors, as well as amazing designers and technicians that have put together a timely, funny, powerful and effective production,” Klypchak said.

“The Bird and the Bee” was performed at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and was labeled “one of the year’s must-see new shows,” by Edinburgh’s, The Stage.

The production at A&M-Commerce will have limited seating with about 50 seats per show. “It’s really important that our audience members call in advance for reservations,” Klypchak said.

For more information or to make reservations, call 903-886-5900 or e-mail playhouseboxoffice@tamu-commerce.edu.

“The Bird and the Bee” contains mature language and adult themes, and is not appropriate for children.

Cast members of “The Bird and the Bee” include: A&M-Commerce sophomore Amanda Barrow, senior Denise Buckels, graduate students Kelsey Cooper and Gerard Taylor II, and juniors Micah Haynes, Jacob Layton and A’mari Rocheleau.

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