University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance Presents “Everybody”

BUFFALO, N.Y. — "Everybody” was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Drama by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and was first produced off-Broadway by Signature Theatre. It is a contemporary take on one of the oldest plays in the English language, “Everyman.”

Originally intended to be performed as part of the spring 2020 season, the show has been re-staged for online performance. In the original off-Broadway production, many of the roles were cast at random each night via a playful on-stage lottery. This aspect will be retained for the online version of the production.

“The playwright makes clear that the production should be cast with a diverse group of performers, demonstrating the inclusivity its name implies,” says Lindsay Brandon Hunter, show director, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the department.

“Where the original play centered the experience of a white, Anglo man as universal, this contemporary work is a comedic and heartfelt exploration of morality that welcomes all kinds of players,” she continued.

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.

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, Nov. 11 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 12 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 15 | 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Location: Livestreaming via ShowTix4U

Tickets available online: $3
showtix4u.com/event-details/41863
Rob Falgiano
(716) 645-6921
rjf3@buffalo.edu

General Information:
716-645-6897
arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/theatre-dance