KEARNEY – University Theatre at Kearney will present “Life is a Dream” tonight through Sunday in the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Miriam Drake Theatre.
Directed by UNK senior Billy Deardoff of Omaha, the play was originally written in the 1630s by Pedro Calderón de la Barca. In Nilo Cruz’s translation, the question of whether life is a dream or an illusion takes on a renewed relevance and urgency.
Astrological omens predict that if King Basilio’s son Segismundo is crowned, he will become a horrible tyrant who will bring destruction to his kingdom. Basilio imprisons Segismundo for life, but decades later he decides to let his son prove his ability to defy the stars. Allowed to rule the palace, Segismundo wreaks bloody vengeance on the kingdom, confirming the prediction of the stars, and the prince is returned to his prison.
Set in the 1970s, Deardoff’s version of the play is inspired by the music of that time.
The UNK production runs approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Seating will be socially distanced, and attendees are required to wear masks at all times.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (April 21-24) and 2 p.m. Sunday (April 25)
Where: Miriam Drake Theatre
Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for non-UNK students and seniors; and free for UNK students with a valid ID. For tickets, contact the UNK Theatre Box Office at 308-865-8417 or boxoffice@unk.edu.
Cast (listed by hometown)
Atwood, Kansas – Daisy Hawkins, Rosaura
Crete – Lexi Powell, Guard/Servant/Soldier/Chorus
Falls City – Zachary Allen, Clotaldo
Kearney – Taury Himmerich, Chorus
Kearney – Tony Koetters, Astolfo
Meadow Grove – Angel Qualset, Estrella
Omaha – Cole Perkins, Basilio
Omaha – Hannah Petersen, Guard/Servant/Soldier/Chorus
Riverdale – Steven Boldt, Clarin
West Point – Mitchell Ross Lierman, Segismundo
Student Artistic and Production Staff
Alliance – Darian Wilson, Dramaturg
Amherst – Danny Ripp, Stage Manager
Columbus – Britney Kouma, Assistant Stage Manager
Kearney – Trevor Altwine, Costume Designer
Kearney – Jaden Longfellow, Sound Designer
Omaha – Billy Deardoff, Director
Omaha – Rebekah Petersen, Choreographer
Omaha – Emma D. Newman, Intimacy Coordinator
Scottsbluff – Dakota Empfield, Properties Master
Faculty/Staff/Guest Artistic Team
Del DeLorm, Lighting Designer
Julie Douglass, Costumer Supervisor
David Greenberg, Sound Supervisor
Darin Himmerich, Scenic Designer/Technical Director
PHOTOS BY ERIKA PRITCHARD, UNK COMMUNICATIONS
