OUT OF STERNO by Deborah Zoe Laufer Comes to Black Box Theatre

"Out of Sterno" begins with meeting Dotty (Nora Thomas), the 23 year old heroine of the play. She is peppy and funny, and expresses her positive slant on everything in her very small world. She also lets us know that her husband, Hamel (Rafael Medina) won't let her leave their apartment, but that she is fine with that. She spends her days working on art projects and watching video recordings of the day she met her husband, 7 years earlier.

Her equilibrium is disrupted almost at once by several events. The phone rings. On the line is a mysterious woman named Zena (Marissa Bond). Zena leaves a very strong message that Dotty's husband must meet her. A flower delivery arrives with an unexpected box of roses. Hamel comes home and immediately leaves again, giving the excuse that he has a business meeting and taking the roses with him. A taxi driver appears and offers to take Dotty to follow Hamel. Dotty realizes that she must now venture out into the vast city of Sterno to understand what is happening to her cosy life.

In this absurdist fairy tale on modern life, Dotty meets not only Zena, but also a variety of other characters, some women, all played by David Reyes. She hears many different viewpoints on what it means to be a real woman, but ultimately she must answer that, and other questions, for herself. This play is full of plot twists, turns and many surprises but it effectively communicates its' take home message on the importance of being true to oneself. Dotty's uplifting experience through this journey is both funny and thought provoking.

The four veteran Las Cruces actors in "Out of Sterno" have a wonderful time bring this entertaining and engaging play to life. Nora Thomas recently directed the NSTC production of "A New Brain" and "Sweeney Todd" and was seen in "Into the Woods" which she also directed. Marissa Bond and Rafael Medina starred in NSTC's "Agamemnon," "Nora", and "Mad Gravity." Medina was also seen in Sweeney Todd" and "A New Brain."David Reyes, most recently seen in NSTC's "A New Brain," also started in "Greater Tuna" and "A Tuna Christmas." Lana Eckman is Costume Designer, Peter Herman designed Lights and Set, Karen Ross is the Stage Manager, and Tommy Medina is the Light Board Operator.

"Out of Sterno" Remaining Performances are at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10, and Saturday, February 11 and the Sunday matinee on February 12 is at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 regular admission and $12.00 for students and seniors over 65. Thursday tickets are $10.00. Reservations: (575) 523-1223

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