BAD JEWS

According to the Fine Performing Communication Arts Division statistics, the play “Bad Jews”sold out its first two nights and last three nights, for a total sales of 637 seats.

“Bad Jews” which ran from Nov. 13 to 21, was written by Joshua Harmon and directed by theater instructor, Janine Christl.

“We feel very confident on the show we put on,” Christl said.

Quincy Maxwell, who played Jonah in the play, said, “There was a lot of positive reaction; people were really moved; we had a couple of people send in letters telling us how much they appreciated the message of the play.”

The director said the play tells a story about family relations, legacy and religion, “but is very much about how you have to find your family path.”
The play features about “three cousins who come together on the evening after their grandfather’s funeral to discuss who deserves their grandfather’s Chai necklace,” Christl said. “They want to, each for their own reasons, have their own ideas on what should happen with it.”

Christl said she received a few letters from people in the community expressing appreciative of the work. “They sent donations to our program and will be attending shows in the future.”

Christl said that she believes the play resonated with a lot of crowds.
“I think everyone could find someone that they believed that deserved the Chai, the object that everyone [the characters in the play] was searching for,” Summer Session, the assistant director for the play, said. “I think that everyone can relate those characters to people in their own lives, and the audience were able to reflect not only on the show and how good it was, but on their own lives.” The play “Detroit,” which opened Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. was written by Lisa D’Amour and directed by Chuck Erven who is an instructor in the Theater Arts and Dance department at Fresno City College. The show had eight different showing times which were: Oct. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 and Oct. 4, 9, 10 at 2 p.m. at Fresno City College Theater located by the math and science building.

The show had a capacity of 396 seats, the box office sold about 113 Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and 101 Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. according to the Fine Performing Communication Arts Division Statistics.

It’s on average a 100 people a night said Erven. The play had two cast which consist of 5 actors who took turns each night.

“It is a play that we felt connected to the moment right now in terms of people’s economic situations, their characters were really relatable and they really seem like people you would know in fact i often got that from people, that’s like my next door neighbor,” Erven said.

DETROIT

“Detroit,” which ran from Oct. 2 to 10, was written by Lisa D’Amour and directed by Chuck Erven, an instructor in the Theater Arts and Dance department at Fresno City College.

According to the Fine Performing Communication Arts Division Statistics, the play sold an average of 100 seats a night. The play had two casts of five actors who took turns each night.

“It is a play that we felt connected to the moment right now in terms of people’s economic situations,” Erven said. “Their characters were really relatable, and they really seem like people you would know, like my next door neighbor.”

“Detroit is about two couples who are polar opposites but who want to be just like each other,” said Jose Estorga, theater major, who played Kenny in the play.

Kenny and Sharon are a little rough around the edges. They both just gotten out of rehab and are young, wild and free-spirited. Ben and Mary are a little older and seem to have their lives together, but not really. Each couple sees things in the other that they want to be.”
Audiences loved the play.

“I thought it was great; I loved it!!” said Celeste Guirola, an English major with a focus on screenwriting.

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

Some upcoming events are “Mulan and the Battle on Black Mountain” written by Chuck Erven and directed by Debra Erven. Performance dates are Feb. 26 through March 5, 2016.

“We are auditioning on the [Dec] 10 and 11 for the show — A version of Mulan, titled, “Mulan and The Battle on Black Mountain,” which starts in January. Erven said the play is for young adults.

For more information on auditions or any other upcoming events in the theater and dance department, please contact Chuck Erven or Janine Christl.