'A Delightful Quarantine' is All About Love & Relationships
McKendree University Theater Performances at the Hett, Nov. 6-9
(LEBANON, Ill., October 27, 2014) — A large ensemble cast from the McKendree University
Theater Department will present “A Delightful Quarantine” at four performances, Nov.
6-9 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on campus.
In this dramatic comedy by Mark Dunn, the residents of Susqua Creek Acres face an
interesting few days ahead. Aliens have landed to take soil samples, and the residents
(plus a few unlucky visitors) have been quarantined in their homes for three days
for their own protection. The play follows seven households’ attempts to cope with
their situation and each other.
Each group faces its own challenge. A young woman is stuck with the mother who gave
her up for adoption 32 years earlier and a twin sister she never knew about. Another
woman is forced into quarantine with a blind date who is allergic to her 14 cats (who
may or may not be real). Two unhappily married husbands find themselves housebound
with each other’s wives. Two little girls find a treasure trove of old clothes and
have the greatest dress up party ever. A pair of little old ladies try to keep the
young man who was robbing their house under control, while elsewhere brother struggles
to honor his sick sister’s request.
“At its heart, this play is about love and relationships,” said Director Michelle
Radke Magnussen. “Without the quarantine, these people would probably have brief,
unimportant connections and would continue with their normal lives. Because they are
locked up together for three days, they are forced to deal with each other for a longer
period of time than they had planned. In that time, they all forge a deeper relationship
than seemed possible at the beginning. All of the characters’ lives are changed significantly,
not because of what happened outside their houses but because of what happened inside
them.”
The cast and crew includes five McKendree University seniors: Spencer Marcum of Centralia,
Josh Fleming of Cave-in-Rock, Derek Anzuini of Chicago, Dawn Schmid of Columbia, and
Nathan Hunt of Harrisburg.
“A Delightful Quarantine” will be performed on Nov. 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and on
Nov. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.
-McK-
The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts - “The Hett” - is Southern Illinois’ premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles from downtown St. Louis. www.theHett.com
