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9/4/2002
Contact:
K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail:
karl.schwab@sru.edu
SRU
PROFESSOR’S PLAY TRANSLATION DETAILS STREET
LIFE
SLIPPERY
ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University students will presented
a dramatic reading of Dr. Deb Cohen’s recently
translated play “Chapulines and Other Critters” at 8
p.m. Thursday through Oct 10 and at 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 12 in Sheehy
Theater of Maltby Center. Cohen is a professor of modern languages
and cultures.
The play was originally written in Spanish by
Costa Rican dramatist Wálter Fernández. Cohen is also
directing the drama which centers around seven characters --
reactions to the (offstage) death by beating of a street kid who
was trying to mug an old lady. The three major scenes demonstrate
the best and worst of human nature between two businessmen, an
evangelical taxi driver and her passenger and two brothers. Most of
what happens in this play could happen in any large city, anywhere
in the world, says Cohen, adding, “Some of it actually did
happen in San José, Costa Rica.”
Playwright
Fernández drew from personal experience, news clippings,
urban legend, gossip and imagination to create a fascinating study
of urban violence, the struggle for power and resources, and the
attitudes that some people adopt in order to deal with it all. Due
to its adult themes and strong language, this play is not suitable
for children under 17.
The cast includes Renato Bispo of São Paolo,
Brazil, Damon Campbell of West Middlesex, Emily Rader of Slippery
Rock, Mary Sack of Chadds Ford, and Alan Wildy of Gibsonia. The
stage manager is Heather Hoffman of Gibsonia.
The play is part of
National Arts and Humanities Month.
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