EMU Theater Presenting Groundbreaking Absurdist Comedy

Theater at Eastern Mennonite University is presenting five performances of its spring mainstage production, “The Bus Stop,” by Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian [pronounced “kao hsing-chien”].

The ground-breaking 1983 comedy will be presented 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Mar. 24, 25 and 26, at 8 p.m. Friday, Apr. 1 and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 2 in the newly-renovated mainstage theater on ground floor of the University Commons. The play, directed by Heidi Winters Vogel, associate professor of theater, runs approximately 90 minutes without an intermission.

An absurdist play — it is frequently compared to “Waiting for Godot” — with touches of Brecht and even a hint of Chekhov (if only we could get to the city, the characters lament), “The Bus Stop” was attacked by Communist Party officials as “spiritual pollution” when it premiered in Beijing.  Mr.  Gao left China in 1987 — he now lives in Paris — and in 2000 won the Nobel Prize in literature.

The student cast includes: Kindra Amott, Provo, Utah; Molly Boese, Freeman, S.D.; Shane Byler, Walnut Creek, Ohio; Travis Duerkson, Goessel, Kan.; Andrew Hostetter, Harrisonburg; Eric King, Harrisonburg; Morgan Porter, Richmond, Va.; and Erica Wagner, Wilmington, Del.

Reserved tickets are $10 for adults ($12 at the door) and $8 for seniors and non-EMU students ($10 at the door) and are available through EMU’s Box Office at 540-432-4582. Group rates are available.

Discussion on “EMU Theater Presenting Groundbreaking Absurdist Comedy

  1. Whew! We are getting confused. Here are the performance dates and times:
    March 24 – 7:30pm
    March 25 – 7:30pm
    March 26 – 7:30pm
    April 1 – 8pm (presented as part of the Attachment Conference)
    April 2 – 7:30 pm
    I hope you can join us.

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