University Players Present ‘The Beyonce'
Rehearsing for The University of Scranton Players’ production of “The Beyoncé,” which will run Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 15-18, are Nia Moore (front) and Nicolas Gangone.The University of Scranton Players will present “The Beyoncé” by Eliza Bent, directed by José Zayas, Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 15-18, in the Studio Theatre of the Joseph M. McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., and the Sunday performance begins at 2 p.m. Seating is limited.
“The Beyoncé” is a contemporary comedy based on Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Fiancé.” Bent puts a modern spin on Chekov’s classic story about Nadia, a young woman who is engaged, and finds herself struggling with finding her place in the world. Nadia is content with settling into marriage and motherhood until her lifelong friend Sasha arrives in town for the wedding and inspires her to confront her aspirations for a bigger life.
Bent is the inaugural, 2018-19 Humanities Initiative Artist-in-Residence. A prolific theatre artist, she has collaborated with renowned New York theatre groups and artists as well as worked for American Theatre magazine. Her play “The Hotel Colors” premiered at Bushwick Star, and she has most recently been featured at Abrons Arts Center in her solo show, “Aloha, aloha, or when I was queen.” Bent was the recipient of the 2014 Payne Award for Outstanding Theatrical Event.
The production of “The Beyoncé” features: Nia Moore of Temple Hills, Maryland, as Nadia; Nicolas Gangone of Howard Beach, New York, as Sasha; Ali Basalyga of Scranton as Nina; Zachary Pavlocak of Middlesex, New Jersey, as Andre Andre; Victoria Pennington of West Wyoming as Gran Marfs; Ellie Rosentel of Kingston as Pops; and Julia Consiglio of Oceanside, New York, as Consuelo. Basalyga is a graduate of West Scranton High School, Pennington is a graduate of Wyoming Area Secondary Center and Rosentel is a graduate of Wyoming Seminary.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office inside the McDade Center, 570-941-4318, or online at thescrantonplayers.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, students, and University of Scranton faculty and staff.
For more information, contact players@scranton.edu or follow the University Players on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The University of Scranton Players is an academic theatre program that brings exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists. 
The University of Scranton Players is an academic theatre program that brings exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists. 
The University of Scranton Players is an academic theatre program that brings exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists. 
The University of Scranton Players is an academic theatre program that brings exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists.
