OCTA's 40th Anniversary Season to Continue with GOD OF CARNAGE, 4/10-26

Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) continues its 40th Anniversary Season with God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza. The show runs April 10-26.

God of Carnage is the story of two modern-day married couples who meet for the first time shortly after their respective sons have a schoolyard tangle. Michael and Veronica, whose son's teeth were knocked out with a stick, invite Alan and Annette, whose son did the knocking, to their home to settle the matter in what they are all confident will be a civilized manner. But any attempt at having a discussion about whose child is responsible for the fight, and how the parents may have influenced such destructive behavior, quickly devolves into a darkly comedic night of name-calling, tantrums and tears.

OCTA's production of God of Carnage is directed by Darren Sextro, and marks his seventh directorial project with OCTA. Past shows include The Diary of Anne Frank (2007), The Glass Menagerie (2009), For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (2009), Doubt (2010), Our Town (2010) and Crimes of the Heart (2013).

"I love the clever way Yasmina Reza puts people in a room and then has them pick each other apart," Sextro said. "I also enjoy that it's a comedy, very heightened, yet comes from a very familiar set of circumstances."

Sextro says he likes using the OCTA space because it allows "actors to be subtle in a way that doesn't work in more expansive venues."

"There are a lot of big issues in the story, most of them presented in an outrageous fashion," he added. "But I want audiences to have a good time and to laugh a lot at the story."

Starring in the cast of God of Carnage are Barb Nichols, Trevor French, Greg Butell and Christina Schafer. The cast is supported by a production team that includes Heather Austin (assistant director), Betsy Sexton (stage manager), Paige Ahlenius (set design), Chuck Cline (lighting design), Kerry Schafer (costume design) and Rhonda Wickham (props).

The show runs for three weekends on April 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 with Friday and Saturday night performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets and more information are available at olathetheatre.org or reservations may be made by calling the theatre hotline at 913-782-2990.

Olathe Civic Theatre Association (OCTA) is an all-volunteer 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year.

Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, city and community, in addition to a dedicated Board of Directors, OCTA has grown into one of the most successful and progressive community theaters in the entire Kansas City metropolitan area. For more information, visit us at olathetheatre.org.

OCTA is a proud recipient of the KC Studio performARTS 2014-15 series grant, underwritten by the Speas Memorial Trusts and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts in association with KCPT.

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