Tickets available beginning April 3
Â鶹ÊÓƵ at Stark’s 2016-17 theatrical season will close with Reasons to Be Happy by Neil LaBute. The play will be performed on April 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Stark Theatre. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided for the performance on April 23.
Reasons to Be Happy begins three years after a contentious break-up with characters Steph and Greg wondering if they can make a fresh go of it. Trouble is, she’s married to someone else and he’s just embarked on a relationship with Steph’s best friend, Carly, a single mom whose jealous ex-husband, Kent, has trouble articulating his feelings. Navigating the rocky landscape of conflicting agendas and exploding emotions is not going to be an easy task for any of them.
The four characters, whose personalities barely match up, become entangled in one another’s lives in romantic, humorous and, sometimes, violent ways as they pursue a common denominator – happiness. However, such happiness does not come without tension, sacrifice and a little bit of humor.
Please note: For mature audiences only due to strong language.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for non-Â鶹ÊÓƵ students and senior citizens. All Â鶹ÊÓƵ students are admitted free of charge with a current student ID. Tickets may be obtained beginning Monday, April 3. Reserve tickets online at www.kent.edu/stark/reasons-be-happy or call the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Stark Theatre Box Office at 330-244-3348.
Directing Reasons to Be Happy is Â鶹ÊÓƵ Stark Associate Professor of Theatre and Theatre Director Brian Newberg. Louis Williams is the scenic and lighting designer, Stephen Ostertag is the costume designer and Ron Jarvis is the sound designer.
For more details on Â鶹ÊÓƵ Stark Theatre’s production of Reasons to Be Happy, visit www.kent.edu/stark/reasons-be-happy.