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MMC DRAMATIC ARTS DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT ERIC COBLE’S FOR BETTER

9/25/2012

Can’t imagine life without your cell phone? Well, neither can six friends who find themselves trying to plan a wedding long-distance, cross-country, and on frighteningly short notice.

The Martin Methodist College Dramatic Arts Department will present its first show of the year, For Better, at 7:00pm on October 4th, 5th, and 6th in the Martin Hall Auditorium. Admission is free to anyone with a MMC ID, and $5.00 each for the general public.

For Better is a romantic comedy for the digital age that asks the eternal question: Do the bride and groom really need to be in the same country to go on a honeymoon? Karen and Max are getting married… if their jobs will ever let them be in the same city at the same time. But between them and wedded bliss are a blizzard of intercepted emails, naughty text messages, online bridal gown shopping, and lost cell signals. Can love conquer all? Can you hear me now?

"I couldn’t ask for a better show for my first as Dramatic Arts Coordinator at Martin Methodist College." said director David Wilkerson. "Eric Coble has written a wildly funny story full of idiosyncratic, well-drawn characters. The precise timing and comic chops required present a fine challenge for our actors. Expect a hilarious evening with unexpected heart. "

For Better was first produced in November, 2007 by the Curious Theatre Company in Denver, Colorado. Following this world premiere, the play opened at the New Theatre in Coral Gables, FL, and Southern Rep in New Orleans. The playwright, Eric Coble, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and raised on the Navajo and Ute reservations in New Mexico and Colorado. His plays have been performed Off-Broadway and across the US and he has received a number of awards, including an Emmy Nomination.

There are always productions which capture the hearts of the cast, and For Better has proved to be one of those. "I was hesitant to audition but I did anyway, and I'm so glad that I did" said Laura Watson, a freshman appearing in her first production at MMC. "David, our fantastic director, appropriately cast me as Karen, the sensitive bride-to-be, and I haven't looked back. This play has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. David and the rest of the cast have been an absolute joy to work with, and I can't wait to work with them again."

According to Jaye Phelps, a senior who has been active in the theatre department since his freshman year in 2008: "The show gets funnier every time we work on it and it’s because of the hard work everyone is putting into it. The director, David Wilkerson, creates a great environment for all of us to do our best work." Phelps summed up the play by saying, "It’s about relationships, whatever they may be, in this technological world we live in. Every person who comes to see this play will find at least one character who they can relate to, which is what makes this play so great. It speaks to everyone."

The cast consists of Laura Watson as Karen, Brandon Blake as Stuart, Caitlin Hays as Francine, Jaye Phelps as Michael, Lydia Wossum-Fisher as Lizzie, and visiting artist Greg Wilson as Wally. For more information, contact David Wilkerson at 363-9800 ext. 3133 or dwilkerson@martinmethodist.edu. For Better is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

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