Grown-ups behaving badly — that’s “God of Carnage,” a play about what happens when a schoolyard scuffle between two youths leads their parents to meet and discuss the incident.
Jennifer Rockwood, center standing, is directing “God of Carnage,” which features John Meadows, left, and Brad Smith, and Jennifer Nagy Lake, left, and Kate Abu-Absi.
“Four adults get together to talk about the fight, but civilization quickly crumbles as verbal sticks and stones begin to fly,” said director of the Toledo production Jennifer Rockwood, who recently has gone back to teaching in the UT Department of Theatre and Film.
“‘God of Carnage’ is a savage comedy that took New York by storm,” she said. “Toledo’s premiere promises equally delicious devastation.”
Loaded topics that the parents take on include homophobia, misogyny and racial prejudice.
“The play is for mature audiences. Short and sweet, it’s a compelling night of very funny and substantial theater. Let’s say you’ll have something to chew on after,” Rockwood said.
“God of Carnage” features Kate Abu-Absi, director of the UT Arts Living and Learning Community; Brad Smith, a 2005 graduate of the UT College of Law; Jennifer Nagy Lake, UT theatre alumna; and John Meadows, who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UT in 1996 and 2006, respectively, and is pursuing a master of arts degree in mental health counseling at the University.
Rockwood, who most recently brought the reading of “The Play 8” to UT and “Bell, Book and Candle” to the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, is working with Toledo School for the Arts students on the production.
“This collaboration gives the high school students a chance to work closely with local experts and Toledo’s best community actors,” she said.
“God of Carnage” will be staged Thursday through Sunday, April 18-21, in the Toledo School for the Arts Attic Theater, 333 14th St., Toledo. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. except for the Sunday matinee, which will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and $8 for students (parental guidance suggested) and are available by calling 419.246.8732, extension 217, or by emailing vwerley@ts4arts.org. If available, tickets will be sold at the door.
