Students will not be able to distance themselves from the ‘upsetting’ themes of Alpha Psi Omega’s new production.
The play “The Distance from Here” by Neil LaBute will open 7.30pm today in Darby-Hope Theater, with shows on Saturday and Sunday as well, senior Cole Ridley said.
Ridley said that Baker’s honorary theater fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, chose the play not only because of its cast size but also because of the content.
“It’s something we thought a faculty member wouldn’t pick on their own,” he said.
Guest director Rachel Roberts said the issues it presents are important.
“It’s a show that I enjoy. The issues are pertinent and upsetting,” she said. “And I think that it is appropriate for this age group because it is very real.”
Roberts said the promotional poster for the play warns would-be audience members of explicit language.
“The language is used as an example of these characters’ first line of defense,” she said. “They use their language first. Sometimes it works, and sometimes they have to back it up. It’s a form of bravado.”
Ridley’s description of his character speaks to the mature content of the play.
“He’s a jerk. There’s no other way to put it,” he said. “My character is having an affair with his girlfriend’s daughter.”
Senior Brian Berrens acknowledged that “The Distance from Here” does have difficult subject matter.
“We were looking for something challenging and a little controversial but not for its own sake,” he said. “It has a message, and that message is understanding. LaBute writes about people he met growing up, people in society that we easily overlook. They’re trying to deal with their lives. For me, that’s the message.”
Berrens described his character Darrell as a driving force in the play.
“It’s about his home life with his mom, stepfather and stepsister, but it’s also about his life out with his friends. It’s about 17-to-18 year old highschoolers,” he said. “It follows his dilemmas, problems and hopes. If the play were a road, he’s the car.”
Ridley said Alpha Psi Omega members were familiar with Roberts from their work on the play “Story Theatre.”
Roberts said in September she had come to Baker to do a theater workshop for prospective students and came back to help with “Story Theatre.”
“Because of this contact, I was approached about guest directing the Alpha Psi Omega production, and I said, ‘Sweet. I would be happy to!” she said.
Roberts has a bachelor of sciences degree in theatre education from Southeast Missouri State University and a Masters of Fine Arts from Michigan University, where she was an assistant professor.
She said she is a professional actress and teaching artist.