April 12 - "Six Degrees of Separation" Closes Rider Theater Season

Rider University’s fine arts department concludes its spring season with 18 student actors featured in Six Degrees of Separation, an award-winning comedy/drama written by John Guare.

     The production will run April 15, 16, 21, and 22 in the Fine Arts Center’s Yvonne Theater on its Lawrenceville campus. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. The production is for mature audiences.

     Based on an actual incident, the drama revolves around a young man who was arrested in Manhattan after duping several prominent New Yorkers into believing he is the son of Sidney Poitier.  The fact that he gained access to their homes and swindled them out of money became the idea behind Guare’s play, according to Dr. Patrick Chmel, chairperson of the fine arts department and production director. In 1991 when the play opened, The New York Times maintained that in the production, “parents do not know their children, heterosexuals are alienated from homosexuals, whites are separated from blacks, and the wealthy do not understand the less fortunate.”

     Performed without an intermission, the play runs approximately 90 minutes in length.  “It should be a unique and highly entertaining evening for everyone,” said Dr. Chmel.  “There is a fusion between ‘realistic and ‘presentational’ theater. The characters on stage share their stories directly with the audience, and when not on stage, actually sit with the audience.

     “Our actors must perform on two levels simultaneously as narrators of the event and as participants in the ongoing action.  The play demands great focus and energy on the part of the actors.”  

     The Rider cast consists of Kim Hausler , a junior fine arts/theatre major and acting scholar as Ouisa; Kevin Feehery, a freshman fine arts/theatre major and acting scholar as Flan; Luke Klein, a junior fine arts/theatre major as Geoffrey; Justin Beazer, a senior fine arts/theatre major and acting scholar as Paul; Phred Patak ‘04, as Hustler; Gina Maria Cicchino, a junior fine arts/theatre major as Kitty; Matt Cook, a junior fine arts/theatre major as Larkin; Chad Schubert, a junior fine arts/theatre major as Detective; Jaime Parker, a senior fine arts/political science major as Tess.

     Also, Danny Prather, a senior fine arts/theatre major as Woody; Joe Ferrara, a senior fine arts/theatre major as Ben; Joe Sabatino, a freshman fine arts/theatre major as Dr. Fine; Danny Lane, a sophomore fine arts/theatre major, acting scholar as Doug; Rob Cutler, a senior political science major, acting scholar as Policeman; Andrew Danish, a junior communication major as Doorman; David Yashin, a freshman fine arts/theatre major as Trent; Ed Egan, a sophomore communication major, acting scholar as Rick, and Rachel Messler, a junior journalism major, acting scholar as Elizabeth.  

     Tickets are $10 for the general public, and $5 for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens.  There is a preview performance on Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m.  Tickets for the performance are $4 at the door.