Clarke Drama and Musical Theatre Present THIRD November 15-18

Clarke University Drama and Musical Theatre presents THIRD by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein.

THIRD runs from November 15-18 in Terence Donaghoe Hall on the campus of Clarke University. The November 15-17 show times are 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday, November 18 show time is 2 p.m.

Ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $7 for seniors, and $5 for non-Clarke students; tickets will be available at the door.

The play takes place at a small liberal arts college and focuses on a female college professor’s fundamental assumptions being challenged by an encounter with a student who she feels has plagiarized a paper for her class. THIRD grapples with the issues of stereotyping and identity politics, as well as generational and family issues.​

“Wendy Wasserstein’s final play before her untimely death poignantly examines the various shades of gray that exist in all of us and how we struggle to come to terms with them,” said Joe Klinebriel, Clarke Professor of Drama.

The cast includes returning alumna guest artist Andrea Bednar ’74 and guest artist Bryan Pechous. Clarke University students in the production include Darius Autry, Carissa McColley, and Justeen Schoner. Clarke student Alannah Walker is the Assistant to the Director/Stage Manager.

Bednar ’74 has returned to Clarke multiple times as a guest artist under the direction of Carol Blitgen, BVM, for some of the most highly regarded productions produced by the department. Bednar appeared in titles such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Woman in Mind, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Beauty Queen of Leeann.

Pechous and Klinebriel have worked together on productions at Dubuque’s Grand Opera House. Said Klinebriel, “Bryan is a great addition to this show, bringing truth and authenticity to his role of an aging grandfather who is tragically succumbing to dementia. Bryan has a unique history with Clarke having traveled with the Clarke-Loras Singers on three overseas tours and one East Coast tour and his daughter is an alumna of the Clarke Drama program.”

This production concludes the fall semester for the Clarke University Drama and Musical Theatre department. Their spring semester shows include Waiting for Godot and Seminar.