Originally published in the November 19, 2010
In high school, an outcast often roams the halls alone, trying to figure out where they belong and hoping for the promised land known as college.
But post-high school, once things don’t go as planned and the certainty of the future suddenly becomes bleak, the days of high school start to look appealing.
“SubUrbia,” the newest play to hit the Hilltop, plays on that wandering confusion seen in many college students or post-graduates.
Written by Eric Bogosian,“SubUrbia” captures more realistic and raw emotions, and Bogosian crosses boundaries other playwrights are too timid to touch.
Bogosian is the author of several famous novels and plays, even winning a Pulitzer Prize for his “Talk Radio.” He starred in several TV shows such as “Miami Vice,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and “Scrubs” among many others.
“SubUrbia” is about tormented, early twenty-somethings who are confused and afraid of what the future holds for them. The group of friends still lives in their hometown, and they reunite with a former classmate-turned-successful musician.
As a college dropout, the play seems to be a personal one for Bogosian, as he was a college dropout, and his professional success came after that time.
“I think that Bogosian’s reasons for dropping out of college may have influenced how the play was written,” said sophomore psychology major and theater crew member Kofi Jones.
While it’s hard to say for sure, the play itself would probably give the best insight into Bogosian’s opinions about both high school education and simply how he believes young people cope in their daily lives.
The cast is mostly familiar faces from previous outstanding Bradley plays, with a couple of new and talented additions to the playbill
Of course, you can’t talk about “SubUrbia” without director Steve Snyder, someone who has a strong emotional track record.
“Steve has done an excellent job at bringing these plays to life,” Jones said. “SubUrbia is by far one of the best plays Steve has directed so far, and that’s saying something.”
From the gritty and darkly humorous “Death Trap” to his expressive adaptation of “Pinocchio,” there isn’t a dull production under this dedicated director’s belt.
If these previous works are of any indication of the quality of “SubUrbia,” then you can bet you’ll get your moneys worth and then some.
