VERO BEACH — Riverside Theatre’s 40th anniversary celebration continues with the Broadway comedy hit “God of Carnage.” This hilarious play about parents behaving badly performs on the Waxlax Stage from Jan. 28 through Feb. 9 and is sponsored by Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers.
Winner of the 2009 Tony for Best Play and written by Yasmina Reza, author of the international hit play “Art, God of Carnage,” is a laugh out loud comedy about civilized parents who quickly become uncivilized.
When one child hurts another at a public park, both sets of parents convene to discuss the incident. What starts off as an amiable discourse quickly changes into an all out, fur flying, hilarious evening of chaos. The New York Times called this wild comedy “scandalously funny.”
Yasmina Reza’s play “Le Dieu du Carnage” opened in Zurich in 2007 to critcial acclaim.
Translated into English by Christopher Hampton, the play made its English premiere at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End in March of 2008.
Directed by Matthew Warchus, this production starred Ralph Fiennes, Tamsin Greig, Janet McTeer, and Ken Stott. The London production received the Olivier Award for Best New Play of the Year.
After some minor changes to the English script to accommodate American audiences, the Broadway production opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Feb. 28, 2009 to great success and starred Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, Marcia Gay Harden, and James Gandolfini (in his final Broadway production.)
Originally planned for a limited engagement to close July 19, 2009, the play was extended a few times with a small hiatus between July and September 2009 while the principal cast fulfilled prior engagements. The play closed in June 2010 after 24 previews and 452 performances.
All four actors were nominated for Tony Awards for their performances, with the production being nominated for seven Tonys. Harden won Best Leading Actress in a Play, Matthew Warchus won Best Director of a Play, and the play received Best Play honors.
Riverside Theatre’s production will be directed by Chris Clavelli and will star John Kickok as Alan, Rachel Burttram as Annette, Craig Bockhorn as Michael, and Carole Healey as Veronica.
The design team includes: Richard Crowell (Scenic & Lighting Designer,) Kelly Isaac (Costume Designer,) and Audrey M. Brown (Stage Manager.)
Tickets range from $45 to $70 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office at (772) 231-6990 or online at www.RiversideTheatre.com.
Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Note: This production contains strong language.
Performance Schedule:
Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, Feb. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 @ 8 p.m.
Jan. 29, Feb. 1, 2, 5, 8 & 9 @ 2 p.m.
The Waxlax Second Stage season also includes Closer Than Ever (March 11 through April 6.)
The Stark Stage season also includes South Pacific (Feb. 18 through March 9) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (April 8 through 27.)
The 2013-2014 Stark Stage season at Riverside is sponsored by SpringHill Suites, Wells Fargo Advisors, Northern Trust, YP.com/AT&T, Merrill Lynch, Vero Beach Magazine, and our Patron Producers.
2013-2014 Patron Producers:
Ron & Linda Aronberg, Anita Astrachan, Gene & Carol Atkinson, David & Barbara Baldwin, David & Cynthia Bardes, Bob & Sandy Barrett, Paul & Jayne Becker, Sam & Susie Bell, Ted & Debbie Berghorst, Jerry & Anne Blatherwick, John & Anita Brennan, Peter & Susie Brinckerhoff, Bill & Laura Buck, Tim & Carol Buhl, Bill & Karen Campbell, Jim & Dottie Currie, John & Ann Dillon, John & Sue Dobbs, Bill & Laura Frick, Mel & Nancy Goodes, Mary Jane Grant, Herb & Anne Gullquist, Duke & Gael Habernickel, Dick & Rosemary Haverland, Dave & Jayne Horner, Ronald F. Hunt, Fred & Susie Kasten, Charlie & Peggy Long, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, Bobbie Olsen, Michael & Kathie Pierce, Dick & Helen Post, Mike & Anne Rhodes, Bob & Karen Ritter, Ron & Nancy Rosner, Bill & Judy Schneebeck, Van Schreiber, Bill & Marlynn Scully, Ned & Emily Sherwood, Tom & Anna Bain Slater, Joe & Mary Alice Smith, Orin & Stephanie Smith, Dick & Diana Stark and the Dorothea L. Leonhardt, Communities Foundation of Texas, Hank & Charlotte Stifel, Barry & Ann Sullivan, Doug & Dhuanne Tansill, John & Tobey Taylor, Lorne & Heidi Waxlax, Pat & Carol Welsh, Ken & Liz Whitney, and Gail D. Williams.