University of Scranton Players Present 'The Beyonce'

The University of Scranton Players will present “The Beyoncé” by Eliza Bent, directed by José Zayas, 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. T

he production of “The Beyoncé” features Nia Moore as Nadia, Nicolas Gangone as Sasha, Ali Basalyga as Nina, Zachary Pavlocak as Andre Andre, Victoria Pennington as Gran Marfs, Ellie Rosentel as Pops, and Julia Consiglio 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.

For tickets, contact the Players box office at 570-941-4318 or visit us at thescrantonplayers.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, students, and University of Scranton faculty and staff.

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.

For more information, contact players@scranton.edu or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.