"Radicals," a very mature, very controversial play premieres tonight in Strother Theatre.
"Radicals" focuses on the interaction of art and political correctness. The main characters struggle to have their views heard about complex issues such as race, sexuality, gender, crimes, and hate.
Playwright Nick Sguoros, a junior, said the story is about trying to figure out how politics intrude in art, how art intrudes on personal space and what lines need to be drawn between the two, if they need to be drawn at all.
"I just hope the audience will be entertained," Sguoros said.
This play features male-lead Mike, played by Eric Bragg, and female-lead Sara, played by Kristen A. Schwartz. These two are joined by their best friends, Sam and Holly, played by Brad Gunter and Cathy Burns, respectively.
According to Bragg, the two main characters' views greatly oppose each other, so they kind of balance the other out, and somehow met in the end.
"Fortunately, I understand both sides of the argument," Braggs said. "There is a lot of Mike in me because he is always willing to look at the other side."
The male leads are would-be performance artists who produce and distribute how-to manuals for hate crimes - purely to see the recipients' reactions to the pamphlets. Their hopes soon come to life as extremist Holly holds a rally to protest the pamphlets. Mike meets Sara, a speaker at the rally. They discuss some very hot issues and plan a "date."
"It addresses the self-censorship of the artist," said Bill Kovacsik, managing director of the play and assistant professor of theatre.
The soul of the play is the question, "What defines art?" Mike and Sam both think the pamphlets are an expression of art. Their plan backfires on them, however, and Mike is forced to make a big decision.
"It's very controversial, and may disturb some people, but I hope it disturbs them in a good way," Kovacsik said. "When you're involved in art, you run into issues that provoke people to think differently."
Assistant professor of theatre Rodger Smith originally selected the play and planned to direct it, but Kovacsik took over.
"It was written by a young author that actually had ideas," Smith said. "It has very mature ideas that deal with artistic freedom."
With a piece that presents such alternative topics, the Department of Theatre and Dance chose this play because it addresses issues that are really important, according to Kovacsik.
Many of the play's actors said they have been fortunate enough that the issues at hand do not make them feel entirely uncomfortable, though they are able to identify with their characters.
"After doing this, I think I'm willing to accept more in life," Burns said.
Sguoros said he feels the department chose his play because they wanted to produce something of high quality of which they could be proud.
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