University Theatre presents ‘Valparaiso’
America is a culture obsessed with reality television, where every average Joe has potential for instantaneous stardom. See how sudden fame can overtake someone in “Valparaiso,” by Don DeLillo, opening Friday, Oct. 22, in the Mitchell Theatre at the University Theatre.
Santiago Sosa as Michael Majeski, Kayla Mock as the Flight Attendant and Liz Cassarino as Livia appear in University Theatre’s production of “Valparaiso.” The play opens Oct. 22 and plays through Nov. 6 at the Mitchell Theatre.
The story introduces us to an ordinary businessman who sets off on a routine business trip to Valparaiso, Ind., and ends up in Valparaiso, Chile. This unusual mistake propels him into an extraordinary adventure of stardom. Suddenly, the media want to know every detail of his journey. As the media dig, we find that perhaps there is more to his life story. Nothing is allowed to be unseen. Nothing remains unsaid. And everything melts repeatedly into something else, as if driven by the finger on the TV remote.
The playwright, DeLillo, is best known as a novelist, having written 15 books, including “Falling Man,” “Libra” and “White Noise.” “Valparaiso,” his second play, was published in 2000 and has been produced by such notable theater companies as American Repertory Theatre (Cambridge, Mass.) and the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago.
“Valparaiso” will run Oct. 22-Nov. 6. There is a pre-performance lecture scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, in the Mitchell Lobby and a post-performance discussion Thursday, Nov. 4. Performances are in the Mitchell Theatre, 821 University Avenue. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and matinees begin at 2 p.m. Individual tickets for all performances are $20 general public or $14 for UW students. Discounts are available for senior citizens and Friends of University Theatre. Purchase tickets by phone at 265-ARTS (2787), in person at the Vilas Hall box office or the Wisconsin Union box office, or order online, buy tickets and view the calendar.