The Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of Christopher Durang’s comedy, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, runs today through Sunday, Nov. 16 in the Carousel Theatre.
The Marriage of Bette and Boo is a dark comedy about a son trying to come to terms with his unhinged relationship to his mother. Matt, the son, is trying to make sense of the absolutely zany world in which he was raised, a world of blathering priests, stillborn babies and disastrous family holidays. As Matt relives the splintered memories from his past, he seeks reconciliation with the family that both loves and haunts him.
After nearly a decade and a half as artistic director of Venture Theatre in Billings, Montana (a company which he founded), director Mace Archer is a freelance director/actor currently working around the country. Mace was the assistant director on last season’s The Life of Galileo. He spent four years as an assistant professor of theatre at Montana State University-Billings before leaving that position to run Venture Theatre.
UT students performing in this production include: Jonny Andrews (Father Donnally/Doctor); Seth Crow (Matt); Kevin Finch (Eeyore); Laurine Pennline (Joan Brennan); Martha Reddick (Emily Brennan); Chuck Sayne (Kanga); Ashley Shelton (Soot Hudlocke); Lincoln Cain Tramel (Pooh); Tara Wells (Roo); and Rachel Winfrey (Bette Brennan).
Marina Raytchinova, guest scenic designer for the production, is happy to return to Clarence Brown Theatre, where she previously designed Dance in Time and Cabaret. She regularly teaches set and costume design as a visiting professor at UT and has been a guest lecturer in theatre design schools in the United States, Belgium, Turkey, United Kingdom, Serbia, Finland and Taiwan.
Elizabeth Aaron will be designing the costumes for this production. CBT staff members John Horner and Mike Ponder will design the lights and sound, respectively. Deya Friedman will serve as stage manager. Lexus of Knoxville is the main sponsor for this production.
Both 7:30 p.m. evening performances and 2:00 p.m. matinees are available. Ticket prices range from $5 to $33. For ticket information, please call the CBT box office at 974-5161 or visit the theatre Web site.