Sunday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. — RANDOLPH — The winners in Chandler’s 2015 competition for new plays on current social issues written by Vermont playwrights are Mike Backman of Quechee, Jeanne Beckwith of Roxbury, and Maura Campbell of Burlington.
On the last Sundays of February, April, and May, their three prize-winning scripts will be produced in staged readings in Chandler’s Upper Gallery, as the Issues Play Series. With a 7 p.m. start, each reading will be followed by a talkback for actors and audience to give feedback to the authors, who will be attending. Refreshments will be available between the readings and the talkbacks.
On Sunday, Feb. 28 Mike Backman’s play “Sunset” will be staged, directed by Richard Waterhouse. It’s the story of two young men struggling to find freedom and expression in a world of rules and expectations. Based on the playwright’s experience as a Mormon missionary 30 years ago, when his questions about faith and sexuality demanded answers, it explores the different spiritual and life journeys of these two men who learn to love and support each other, each in his own way, as one is drawing closer to the Mormon Church and the other is falling away from it while they serve as Mormon missionary companions.
Jeanne Beckwith’s play “Shot in Baghdad” will be staged on Sunday April 24; and Maura Campbell’s play “Desert Bloom,” or “The Boy and the Watermelons” will screen Sunday, May 29.
Tickets for adults are $10 in advance or $12 day-of-show. Full-series adult passes can be purchased for $25. Student tickets are $5 at all times. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Chandler Box Office at 802-728-6464 between 3 and 6 p.m. weekdays.
Chandler Center for the Arts is located at 71-73 Main Street, Randolph.
