University of Kansas theatre students are getting ready to rock.
Their production this weekend, “Airness,” by Chelsea Marcantel, is about an air guitar competition and it “promises rivalry, glorious ridiculousness, and genuine joy,” according to a release from KU’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
“This comedy focuses on individualism as well as the challenge of fitting in as a newb in a group that exudes coolness. Through the art of air guitar, characters discover their authentic selves in big hair, studded wristbands, and ripped t-shirts.”
The cast received coaching from Beth “CindAIRella” Melin, a three-time U.S. national finalist who competed in the Air Guitar World Championship in 2015, according to the release.
The show is directed by doctoral student and graduate teaching assistant Jonah Greene.
“It’s the return to live theatre that we’ve all been craving,” Greene said in the release. “It’s a show about the pure, unbridled joy of live performance, the visceral experience of dancing like you’re alone in your room, but instead you’re on stage in front of a screaming crowd. It’s also about the transcendent nature of creating something out of nothing.”
Masks are required for attendees and vaccines are strongly encouraged for those who attend the production, which includes some adult language and themes. It also includes loud music, moving and flashing lights and water-based theatrical fog.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children, and $15 for senior citizens, KU faculty/staff and KU students (or $10 for students, if purchased in advance). The first performance starts at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 1, and it will repeat Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Oct. 7) at the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall, 1530 Naismith Drive. Sunday’s performance is a matinee at 2:30 p.m.
Those who go on Friday night, beware — Late Night in the Phog is the same night, and it could affect traffic and parking.
See the full creative team and cast list — which includes Diego Rivera-Rodriguez, a junior in theater performance and film and media studies from Lawrence, as Golden Thunder — and get your tickets at this link, or call the box office at 785-864-3982.
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