Marriage: A Demolition in Two Acts by Rick Chafe, runs March 16-18 at Memorial Hall.
Matt Carter
For its final production of the season, Theatre UNB is preparing to stage a student production of Rick Chafe’s Marriage: A Demolition in Two Acts, a romantic comedy involving two couples and an ill fated home renovation.
With both couples on edge amongst themselves and with each other, everything from kitchen cabinets and coffee makers to generational differences and life choices are cause for ridicule, making a play that’s hilarious and relatable.
The play will be directed by Jane Israelson, who has appeared in recent productions by Theatre UNB and NotaBle Acts where she has both directed and acted in plays by St. Stephen based comedic writer Brandon Hicks.
“As a student, this is one of the first shows I’ve directed and certainly the longest,” said Israelson. “I’ve worked with Theatre UNB several times before in different capacities so I kind of knew what to expect going in, but we definitely had some unique challenges!”
One of the biggest challenges with this show came in the form of an unexpected hole in the cast. Israelson said she had an actor drop a significant role three weeks before opening night, a challenge that could leave even the most experienced director in crisis.
“I’ve seen it happen many times before in other shows, but it’s not something you plan for,” she said. “Luckily, Fredericton has a robust theatre scene, and we found an awesome replacement who picked up right where we were. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.”
The play will run March 16-18 at UNB’s Memorial Hall with performances nightly at 7:30 p.m.
“I hope that the audience sees themselves in some of these characters,” said Israelson. “I think that this production asks us to reflect on what’s important in life. What we think is so serious is objectively hilarious to other people and maybe it can be hilarious to us too.”
Marriage: A Demotion in Two Acts | March 16-18 | Memorial Hall | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets ($15 regular, $12 senior/underemployed, $10 for students) will be available at the door (cash or debit/credit). For more information, email jane.deil@unb.ca or phone 447-3078.
