University Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with “Fuddy Meers” by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Performances are Oct. 6-8 and 11-15 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.
“’Fuddy Meers’ is a bright comedy that casts a dark shadow,” said Dustin Mosko, who is directing in partial fulfillment of his Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing for Stage and Screen. “The play revolves around Claire, a sunny woman with a freakish case of amnesia that erases her memory every time she sleeps. Each morning when Claire awakes, she must depend on her intelligence and senses to solve the mystery of her past. Today, however, is different than any other day she has encountered. The question is, will she remember it tomorrow?”
Hunter Mruz, a theatre junior from Blair, Nebraska, plays Richard, one of seven members of the cast.
“This is a wacky show, but, at the heart of it, it’s about accepting who you are. I think Richard represents the common man. On the outside, he has a great life. He is an upright citizen. He has a good job, a great wife. But, as you dig deeper, secrets start to come up and suddenly he isn’t so perfect after all. His biggest problem is he’s willing to do anything and everything to keep the facade of the ‘All American,’” Mruz said.
The play features witty dialogue, a fast-paced plot and outlandishly funny situations and characters.
“The show is an amusement park ride from lights up to the curtain call, and our goal is to have our viewers blissfully dizzy throughout,” Mosko said.
Mosko said they have challenged themselves with this production, both technically and on the performance side.
“I guess my most difficult challenge has been the effort to find the simplest way to tell the story without giving it away,” Mosko said. “Directing this production has been very similar to the task of describing the title ‘Fuddy Meers’ to someone who is unfamiliar with the show. How much information is too much? I think half the fun has been the challenge of finding our way through the play’s funhouse together and then getting back in line to do it again.”
The audience will be on two sides of an “L” configuration, with the stage at a diagonal in the Studio Theatre.
“I personally love the intimate space as it provides a close up and personal viewing experience for the audience,” Mosko said. “Theatre is by nature a communal experience between the actors and audience, and a large proscenium stage can sometimes create an obstacle for the process of empathy and catharsis.”
Mruz is looking forward to the production.
“This is going to sound really corny, but I’m 100% honestly so excited about every single aspect of this show,” he said. “I get to perform with people I’ve acted with my entire time here at UNL and with new people that I pray I get to perform with again. The designers for this show are out of this world and are bringing their ‘A’ game for this production. The director has great ideas for where this show is going to go. Most importantly I’m looking forward to, hopefully, bringing a little happiness to the audience members. That’s why I do theatre. For the cathartic experience it brings.”
Tickets are $18 regular, $16 faculty/staff/senior citizens and $12 students with ID. Advance tickets are available from the Lied Center Box Office at (402) 472-4747 or online at http://go.unl.edu/theatretix. Tickets are also available one hour prior to the performance in the Temple Theatres Lobby.