Theatre UCF presents Irwin Shaw's Bury the Dead in the University of Central Florida Black Box from February 16-26.
Bury the Dead is an anti-war play about six soldiers killed in the line of duty who stand up in their graves and refuse to be buried. As their superiors fail at getting the soldiers to obey orders, the media starts to react, and so the deceased's loved ones are brought to the graves. The soldiers explain their reasons for refusing to lie down in a series of touching monologues.
The setting of the play is "the second year of the war that is to begin tomorrow." Though written in 1936, the themes of the soldiers' monologues are still current. They discuss the futility of war, the tender relationships between couples, the pain of dying before one's life has been lived.
In order to help the sizable cast--29 actors in the Black Box--understand their roles, director Mark Brotherton has asked the cast to watch movies about war and military, which they have done in small groups. They have been instructed by a member of ROTC, who is also a cast member, about movement. The cast is meeting with a wounded warrior for a candid discussion about the impact that serving has had on their lives.
One of the most impactful things Brotherton has instructed his actors to do is to visit Honor the Fallen at www.militarytimes.com. The cast each brings the name of one fallen soldier to rehearsal and when they need to return to a somber moment, they recall that soldier and consider what he or she forfeited. Some students found soldiers of the same name, the same hometown, or the same age as themselves.
Though the play is somber, it is not all about death says Brotherton. "It gives more reasons for living than it talks about dying. The language of the monologues is beautiful."
Theatre UCF is located on the UCF campus near the intersection of University Blvd. and Alafaya Trail in East Orlando. The show runs from February 16-26, 2012 on Thursdays-Sundays, and shows begin at 8 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2 pm on Sundays.
To purchase tickets or for ticket information call the box office at (407) 823-1500. Ticket prices are $17.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors, and $10.00 for students, with group rates available. It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance, available through the Theatre UCF box office. UCF offers accommodations to make the theatre more accessible to patrons with disabilities—for assistance, please call the box office in advance.
