Challenging new play ‘Madam and Eve’ premieres at Scranton Fringe Festival on Oct. 5-7
From a press release:
“Madam and Eve” challenges perceptions of spirituality, sexuality, and the complexities that lie within the journey of becoming who we really are.
Presented by the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, the new play will receive its world premiere at the Scranton Fringe Festival with performances at The Shakes Space in The Marketplace at Steamtown on Thursday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 7.
The show was written by Nicole Duncan of Woodland, California as a capstone project in the nationally-recognized creative writing program at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre.
“Theatre is so fun and unique,” Duncan said.
“It takes the words that I’ve written down on paper and literally brings them to life onstage. I can’t wait to see what the actors do with each character, and I’m excited to see how the audience reacts to each performance.”
The story centers on Amy, a pastor’s daughter, as she finds herself drawn to the new female worship leader and must confront the deepest and darkest parts of herself before she is exposed under the watchful eyes of the congregation. Plagued by her constant chattering companions Porn and Depression, she faces a monumental choice – will she be true to herself or stay on the path her faith set out for her?
“It’s a very specific story about a very specific situation,” said director Simone Daniel, “but we want to convey something that everyone can relate to – the fear that, if we are fully ourselves, maybe those we love won’t love us anymore. That’s where the play lives for us, and we’re going to do some playing around it.”
The ninth annual Scranton Fringe Festival hosts shows on Friday, Sept. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 7 in venues throughout downtown Scranton. This production is a first for Wilkes University’s Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, which offers writers of all genres – including playwrights – opportunities to develop their craft.
“We’re so excited about our partnership with Fringe,” said David Hicks, creative writing director at Wilkes.
“Not many MFA programs offer playwriting, and none provide the kind of lifelong support that we provide our students, whose works are produced either locally or nationally after graduation. Sponsoring the Scranton Fringe Festival feels like a natural partnership, and we can’t wait to see the results. We’ll be fans of the Fringe Festival for years to come.”
Performances of “Madam and Eve” will run Thursday, Oct. 5 and Friday, Oct. 6 at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in The Shakes Space inside The Marketplace at Steamtown (300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton). It is rated R (ages 18+) and runs approximately 60 minutes. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved online at scrantonfringe.org or purchased at the door.
A celebration of creativity, culture, and community, Scranton Fringe is an award-winning arts organization producing innovative work since 2015, dedicated to creating a bold, engaging platform for thought-provoking art while striving to promote Northeast Pennsylvania as a viable creative environment. Inspired by the world’s largest annual event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this nonprofit has grown into a year-round incubator of unique creative work centered around the performing arts.
The annual Scranton Fringe Festival is a diverse mix of theatre, music, visual arts, and more. With events spanning across six venues this year – such as the Scranton Cultural Center, AfA Gallery, Lackawanna College, and the Lackawanna County Children’s Library – there is something for everyone to enjoy.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch the program for our ninth Fringe Festival,” said Conor Kelly O’Brien, Scranton Fringe co-founder and executive director.
“We have such a unique lineup featuring regional and touring work, including world premiere theatrical productions, experimental performances fusing ecology with innovative technology, world-class music, and much more.”
The mission of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing is to educate students in the craft, life, and business practices of eight areas of study – fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, creative nonfiction, publishing, writing for television, and spoken word – through a commitment to excellent mentorships, publishing opportunities, and industry-specific internships. The nationally recognized low-residency MA/MFA program provides students and faculty with writing support, community, and market opportunities to become lifelong, productive, professional writers in all fields.
