STORRS. Connecticut Repertory Theatre will stage Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka as the second show of its 2015-2016 season. The show is directed by UConn visiting professor Vincent Tycer. It is part of the Studio Series, and will be held in the Studio Theatre from October 29th through November 8th. For tickets and information please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860) 486 2113.
Separated from his mother, a young refugee called Anon, the play’s central character, journeys through the United States, encountering a wide variety of people — some kind, some dangerous and cruel — as he searches for his family. From a sinister one-eyed butcher to beguiling barflies to a sweatshop, Anon must navigate through a chaotic, ever-changing landscape in this entrancing adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. Whether colonial religious refugees, the Irish of 150 years ago or the migrant workers of today, we are all Anon — or his recent descendants.
Director Vincent Tycer offers, “Anon(ymous) is a magical poetic retelling of the Odyssey by American playwright Naomi Iizuka that is both poignant and humorous. Maintaining the epic structure of the original story, Iizuka’s play tells the story of Anon, a refugee struggling for survival, friendship and a sense of home within a dangerous modern America. With the number of refugees seeking asylum increasing daily from the already staggering ten million worldwide, the play explores the ideas of compassion, abuse of power, homelessness, guilt, and importantly hope. Iizuka’s writing blends a gritty contemporary setting with magical realism, poetry and humor. It is a play that is as topical as it is beautiful.”
Dramaturg Angelique Bacha says, “The European Union is facing the largest refugee crisis it has ever encountered, with more than 530,000 asylum claims as of the end of June and millions of others flooding out of their home countries. Currently, over 60 million people have been displaced for reasons of war in their areas, most of whom are Syrian; 2 out of every 5 of these Syrian refugees are likely to be children. Youths are a great part of the refugee figure, which is why Iizuka chooses to focus on them in this piece. The main character, Anon, is himself a minor on a journey to find his mother.”
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
The design team includes: Vincent Tycer (Director), Joseph Fonseca (Scenic Design), Lindsay Duvall (Lighting Design), Jelena Antanasijevic (Costume Design), Daniel Bria (Sound Design), and Hannah Guerin (Stage Manager).
PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION
Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Select matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Season subscriptions and single tickets are available now. Single tickets range from $7 to $30. All student tickets are only $7.
Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860.486.2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.
Please call the box office at 860.486.2113 for tickets and additional information or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.
The Studio Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.