Photo Flash: Lakewood Theatre Co to Present Comedy Without Manners GOD OF CARNAGE

"Boys will be boys, but adults are usually worse... much worse." Lakewood Theatre Company presents the modern French dramedy God of Carnage, directed by Antonio Sonera, as the penultimate show of the 2016-17 season beginning March 3, 2017.

When two 11-year-old boys get into a fight at the park, their parents meet for the first time to discuss the disastrous outcome. Embarrassed at their sons' openly physical display of hostility, each pair of parents sets out to prove that violence is savage behavior... instead opting for the more civil tactics of passive aggression. In attempting to act like the adults they are, their strained polite conversations devolve into immature arguments, proving that these parents are just as bad as their children. Originally written in French as La Dieu du Carnage by playwright Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, God of Carnage has received critical acclaim in France, in London's West End and on Broadway where it received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play. Its overall global success proves that the distinction between civil and savage behavior is a human struggle in every language.

Performances begin Friday, March 3 and continue through Sunday, April 9 with the following schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 7:00 PM (March 5, 19 and April 2) and Sunday matinees at2:00 PM (March 12, 26 and April 2, 9). There is one Wednesday performance at 7:30 PM on April 5. The show sponsor is Andy & Nancy Bryant.

Note: Some subject matter may not be suitable for pre-teen audiences.

Talkback sessions scheduled: Lakewood will also host talkback sessions after the following performances: Sunday matinee March 12 and Wednesday evening performance on April 5. Meet the actors as they discuss their approach to their roles. They will be joined by counseling professionals to provide insight to the topics raised in the production.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $32/adults and $30/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at https://www.lakewood-center.org/

The Story: Annette (Sarah Lucht) and Alan Raleigh (Don Alder) have an 11-year-old son named Benjamin. Veronica (Marilyn Stacey) and Michael Novak (David Sikking) have a son of the same age named Henry. While playing unsupervised at the park, Benjamin and Henry get into a fight, resulting in a significant injury that prompts their parents to get together to resolve the children's quarrel. The Raleighs and the Novaks are at first optimistic at the opportunity to practice the "art of co-existence" in order to save face for their sons' behavior. After all, haven't humans evolved to rise above typical animalistic behavior? However, as the evening goes on, bickering, nausea and name-calling ensue, forcing the grown-ups to leave all the diplomacy of adulthood behind.

Stage direction for LTC's production of God of Carnage is by Antonio Sonera with assistant direction byIan Goodrich. Scenic design is by John Gerth, lighting design is by Peter West, sound design is byRodolfo Ortega, properties are by Sarah Marie Andrews, fight choreography is by Kristen Mun, dramaturgy is by Ian Goodrich, and costume design is by Jami Chatalas Blanchard. The stage manager is Annie Bosworth Foley and the producer is Steve Knox.

David Sikking, Marilyn Stacey, Don Alder and Sarah Lucht
Marilyn Stacey, David Sikking, Don Alder and Sarah Lucht
Sarah Lucht and Don Alder
Marilyn Stacey and David Sikking