UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Centre Stage will present Robert O’Hara’s satiric play "Barbecue" from March 24 to April 1 at the Pavilion Theatre at University Park. Penn State School of Theatre faculty member Steve H. Broadnax III directs the production.
Media shapes and defines our culture by how it reports and interprets the events of the day, but who gets to tell the stories and how do they decide which stories get told? What part does race and class play into selected narratives? "Barbecue" is an outlandish domestic comedy/satire that challenges the ideas and images of Hollywood, the American household, and its struggle within. It touches an open sore of humanity while holding up the mirror to our nature examining addiction, race and family dynamics.
Preview performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 21 and 23. Evening performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 24 and 25, and March 28 to April 1. Matinee performances will take place at 2 p.m. March 25 and April 1. Tickets for evening performances are $20. Preview and matinee performances are $18.50. Penn State students can purchase tickets for $12.50 with a valid Penn State ID.
An opening-night reception will be held on Friday, March 24, at the Pavilion Theatre. The cost is $30 and includes pre-show hors d’oeuvres and desserts. A show ticket is not included and must be purchased separately. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the reception, and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the Penn State Downtown Ticket Center, Eisenhower Box Office, Bryce Jordan Center, online at theatre.psu.edu/barbecue, or by calling 814-863-0255 or 1-800-ARTS-TIX.
Penn State Centre Stage is the professional arm of the Penn State School of Theatre and serves as the training program for young theater professionals embarking in the entertainment industry.