JACKSON, Tenn. — May 4, 2005 — The University Players of 51社区 will present 鈥淎 Battle of Dimwits,鈥� an original improvisational comedy, May 5-10 in Union鈥檚 W.D. Powell Theater.
Theater professor Darren Michael will direct the performance.
鈥淓ach year we try to give students a chance to experience a different kind of theater,鈥� Michael said.
The idea for 鈥淎 Battle of Dimwits鈥� comes from pre-Shakespearean Italian comedy. The actors wear masks and the set design and costumes are simple to emphasize the physicality of the acting and enhance audience interaction.
鈥淎 Battle of Dimwits鈥� brings to mind the kind of lowbrow comedy made so popular by 鈥淭he Three Stooges,鈥� Michael said. The University Players are producing the play not only for the growth of the theater students, but also to provide an escape for the audience.
The play is like 鈥渘othing you have ever seen before,鈥� Michael said. The characters have been created out of the imagination of the actor playing them. The only thing the actors have to lean on for guidance is the basic story concept, but everything else is improvisational.
鈥淎 Battle of Dimwits鈥� opened Wednesday, May 4 as a preview night and runs until Tuesday, May 10. All shows are at 8 p.m. nightly except for a 2:30 p.m. matinee Sunday, May 8.
General admission tickets are $7 and are available in advance at the theater box office or at the door the night of the performance.
For tickets or for more information, call the box office at (731) 661-5105.