Fresno State’s University Theatre will present “The Great God Pan” March 24 through April 1 (excluding March 27) with daily show times at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee in the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre in the Speech Arts building.
The play, written by Amy Herzog, is a haunting exploration into the depths of memory. Jamie (portrayed by Fresno State theatre arts major Steven Weatherbee) believes he has an ideal life — a long-term relationship with Paige (portrayed by Fresno State theatre arts major Emily Kearns), parents who live just far enough away (portrayed by Fresno State theatre arts major Alyssa Benitez and community member Joel Young) and an emerging journalism career. However, his life is thrown into chaos when a childhood friend (portrayed by Fresno State theatre arts major Benjamin Garcia) reveals a trauma from long ago.
“Like all my plays, ‘The Great God Pan’ is also about well-meaning people failing each other and living with that failure,” Herzog notes.
Directed by theatre arts professor Kathleen McKinley, the production explores the complexities of memory, loss and truth, as well as the perceptions of reality viewed by both children and adults. Set in 2012 within the New York tri-state area, the play features a cast of six Fresno State students and Young.
“I was drawn to ‘The Great God Pan’ by the deceptively casual dialogue and how the play explores both the cleansing and disturbing power of memory,” McKinley said. “Children in the same family can look back on a childhood with stunningly different perceptions. What is horrifying or striking to a child, is sometimes seen through adult eyes as innocuous.”
“The Great God Pan” contains adult language and situations.
Tickets are $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military; and $10 for students. Group rates and season subscriptions are available. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance.
Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday night, parking permits are required and may be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus.
For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
