UB Theatre and Dance presents 'Everybody'

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Everybody”, a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Public performances will take place on UB’s North Campus at the Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre from April 1 through April 5, 2020.  

“Everybody” was first produced off-Broadway by Signature Theatre, opening in Feb. 2017. It is a contemporary take on one of the oldest plays in the English language, the 15th-century morality play, “Everyman”.  The UB rendition of the show is directed by Lindsay Brandon Hunter, assistant professor, director of undergraduate studies and director of the BA in Theatre program.

In the original off-Broadway production, many of the roles were cast at random each night via a playful on-stage lottery. Although UB’s production will forgo this aspect, its spirit still informs the work.

“The playwright makes clear that ‘Everybody’ should be cast with a diverse group of performers, demonstrating the inclusivity its name implies,” stated Hunter. “Where the original play centered the experience of a white, Anglo man as universal, this contemporary work is a comedic, heartfelt exploration of morality that welcomes all kinds of players.”

The lead character is an individual - Everybody - who is called to her final resting place. Everybody protests what she perceives as her random and unfair imminent demise. The 12-person student cast also includes allegorical figures like Friendship, Love, Beauty, Courtship, Kinship, Mind and Stuff. A philosophically puzzled God is accompanied by Death. Time and Love round out the cast.

UB Theatre and Dance junior, Emory Redfearn, portrays Death. “Death is God’s assistant, but doesn’t quite know the answers to everything,” Redfearn explains. “It’s both comedic and serious. All of us are playing ideas, not exactly people. The character, Everybody, is trying to find someone to bring with them to Death,” so as not to be alone when it occurs.

“My idea of Death is very matter of fact. It’s not a scary or sad thing," she says. "It just happens.”

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is an American playwright born in 1984. He won the 2014 Obie Award for Best New American Play for his plays “Appropriate” and “An Octoroon”. His play “Gloria” was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a year in which he was also was named a MacArthur Fellow.

Dates and Times:
Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m.

Location:
UB Center for the Arts
Black Box Theatre
University at Buffalo
North Campus
Directions: ubcfa.org/directions-maps2019

Tickets:
$20 Adult
$10 Student/Senior

eventbrite.com/d/ny--university-at-buffalo/arts--events/everybody/?page=1

Tickets are also available at the door one hour prior to show. Campus Cash is accepted at the CFA Box Office.

General Information:
716-645-6897

Group Sales:
Mike Formato
716-645-0611
formato@buffalo.edu

theatredance.buffalo.edu