Davidson’s Theatre Department Gets “Reckless” Starting Nov. 13

Davidson College invites the public to a darkly comedic misadventure of whimsical surprises and nightmarish tragedies in Reckless, a play by Craig Lucas.

The college's Theatre Department will produce the play in the Rupert T. Barber Theatre of the Cunningham Theatre Center Nov. 13 to 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 seniors, $7 faculty/staff and $5 students. The play is recommended for ages 13 and up. For more information call 704-894-2930.

Featuring quirky characters in a range of bizarre situations, Reckless follows the escapades of Rachel, who begins the play by fleeing from her murderous husband on Christmas Eve. Her ensuing journey includes an encounter with the devious physical therapist Lloyd Bophtelophi and an appearance on a televised game show.

Director Mark Sutch noted that the play presents a broad range of situations. "The play spans 15 years in 28 scenes, all over the course of about 75 minutes," he explained. "The challenge of achieving these rapid transitions from time to time and from place to place is exciting."

Lloyd Bophtelophi, who has made many poor decisions in life, is trying to reinvent himself. He takes Rachel into his home after she runs away from her husband, but struggles with his feelings for her because he is already married to a paraplegic woman named Pooty who feigns deafness to earn double disability benefits.

"There are a lot of weird circumstances in this play," said Amos McCandless '14, who plays the part of Lloyd Bophtelophi. "Reckless is decidedly contemporary because it struggles with the alienating effects of modern society and technology, and deals with issues of identity and isolation."

McCandless added, "I'm also excited because my character gets to goof around in a Santa Claus costume, and I always enjoy acting out funny physical things like that."

Director Sutch pointed out that the play repeatedly focuses on the Christmas season. He said, "Christmas holds a dual meaning for many people-joyous festivities on one hand, and a bittersweet sadness on the other because of growing older and missing those who have been a part of our lives. These qualities are exaggerated both in the play and our production of it."

Sutch hopes those who attend Reckless will appreciate the play's rapid transitions from humor to tragedy. "I hope audience members will consider the way life and love have been reckless with them, and how their responses to the challenges we all face stack up against those of the characters on stage."