The University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film will present “Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom,” written by Jennifer Haley, at the Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre April 11-21.
Holly Monsos, who chairs the department, directs the production.
Barbara (Brooklyn-Mitchell Nelson) finds herself inside Blake’s (Gerardo Rosario) game, talking to his avatar, ZombieKiller14 (Aaron Smith), in a rehearsal of ‘Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom,” running April 11-21 at the UToledo Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre.
The dark comedy shares its name with the fictional zombie-killer video game that has become an obsession for its teen characters. As they get closer to reaching the “Final House” in their game, the zombies start to look more and more like their clueless parents in their stereotypical suburb.
Why is that? And why do all those sirens keep going by outside?
“The playwright subtly compares the addictive nature of gaming for the teens with the equally single-minded pursuit of the so-called American Dream by their parents,” Monsos said. “We’ve had a great time creating the game world versus the reality world — as well as exploring what happens when the two start to collide.”
The Department of Theatre and Film recently acquired software and equipment that will allow for the open captioning of every performance of “Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom,” and for live performances for at least the next academic year.
“This was accomplished with technical advice through the Ohio Arts Council, and with budget flexibility that resulted from the receipt of a three-year American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant made possible by the city of Toledo, Lucas County and the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo,” Monsos said.
“Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10 to $20 and can be purchased online through the Tix.com UToledo website or at the box office before the performance.
Visitor parking is free only for the Saturday and Sunday performances in Area 12, excluding reserved, disabled and metered spaces. Parking for Thursday and Friday performances requires payment through the ParkMobile app, a parking meter or a daily permit via ParkUToledo.
Visit the ParkUToledo website for more information.
