 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Kennedy
Theatre
Media Release
Department of
Theatre and Dance
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Contact: Jessica
L. Jacob, Publicity Director
Phone: (808) 956-2598
Fax: (808) 956-4234
Box Office: (808) 956-7655 (v/t)
email: theatre-pr@hawaii.edu
December 8, 2003
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GUEST ALUMNA DIRECTS UHM’S "BETTY’S SUMMER VACATION"
The University of Hawai‘i at M~noa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents "Betty’s Summer Vacation" by Christopher Durang directed by UHM Alumna Betty Burdick. "Betty’s Summer Vacation" is a roller-coaster ride that starts off seeming relatively normal, but almost immediately it is revealed that things are not as they seem. Shock and hilarity merge as Durang exploits the exploitation of "reality T.V." with characters that perform extreme atrocities. Durang’s use of horror-humor requires a slightly twisted sense of humor. "Betty’s Summer Vacation" will be on the Kennedy Theatre Mainstage February 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 15 at 2 p.m. The Saturday, February 7th performance will be interpreted in American Sign Language.
Durang, writer of "Sister Mary Ignacious Explains It All For You" and "Beyond Therapy," also writes and acts on television and in film. Director Burdick selected Durang’s play because "He’s Funny! He’s Current! He’s Clever!" She describes "Betty’s Summer Vacation" as "wickedly funny" and adds that "it is about people like us in American society." Burdick continues, "Durang exposes our faults while making us laugh about them." In "Betty’s Summer Vacation" horrible things happen and Durang pushes humor to the limit with action so outrageous you have to laugh, in spite of yourself. According to Burdick, "The characters are extreme. Betty is their anchor to sanity. The play points out that we’ve grown to believe that anything we see on T.V. is OK. Betty points out that it is not." The play is recommended for mature audiences.
Burdick grew up in Hawai‘i and acted professionally for several years in New York before returning to UHM to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing. Since the completion of her M.F.A. in 1998, she continues to contribute to theatre in Hawai‘i by teaching, acting and directing locally. She is on the faculty at Hawai’i Pacific University and Leeward Community College, was honored with a Hawai‘i State Theatre Council Po’okela Award for her lead role in "Wit" (2002, Manoa Valley Theatre), and recently directed "King Kalakaua’s Poker Game" (2003, Kumu Kahua Theatre).
Tickets for “Betty’s Summer Vacation” go on sale Monday, January 26th at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office. Tickets may be purchased in person or charged-by-phone at 956-7655 (voice/text) Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 regular, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UHM students, $3 UHM students with validated Spring UHM photo ID. For more information, charge-by-phone, or disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre Box office at 956-7655 (voice/text).
###
"Betty’s Summer Vacation"
When: February 6, 7 & 12, 13, 14 at 8pm Sunday, February 15 at 2pm
Saturday, Feb. 7th performance interpreted in ASL
Where: UHM's Kennedy Theatre Mainstage
Cost: $15 regular, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UHM students, $3 UHM students with validated Spring 2004 UHM ID
See
also:
Back to the Press
Release Index
Box Office
(808) 956-7655
Publicity Office
(808) 956-2598
Admissions Office
(808) 956-7677
Fax
(808) 956-4234
