Basement Arts ends season with 'subUrbia'

Following the success of the Fall Season's Basement Arts production of "Burn This," BFA senior Allison Tkac is again directing a show in the Basement. This time around she is tackling "subUrbia," one of the more modern and hipper pieces of theater that has come out of Lincoln Center. Written by Eric Bogosian, "subUrbia" has been critically acclaimed and has recently been filmed by director David Lynch.

PREVIEW
	subUrbia Arena Theater Wed. at 4 p.m., Thurs. - Sat. at 7 p.m., Fri. at 11 p.m.

Tkac plans to present the play as it was originally intended - as a comedic drama that doesn't play up the better side of life in the suburbs, but instead makes things appear realistic without painting a pretty picture of life. The movie version of the play was changed by Lynch to make the lives of its characters seem happier, and doesn't dwell on their realism.

The story of the drama surrounds a group of teenagers who sit outside a 7-11 while waiting for a former high school friend to return. Pony, the former friend, has made it big on MTV and is now a rock star. While the characters remember Pony as being dorky and null of social skills, they can't understand how he became so famous. Unlike in "Waiting for Godot," Pony does eventually arrive, and the rest of the play follows the interaction between him and the group of friends.

Bogosian's tale is strictly Generation X. Tkac explained, "Bogosian writes for a tribe of people who will understand his work only if they are a part of the tribe. My grandmother would not understand this show."

While the play follows the story of a bunch of slackers, it is not strictly a stage version of "The Breakfast Club." Its issues dig deep into modern events, including homosexuality, AIDS and drugs.

Tkac is excited about "subUrbia." She considers this production to be her swan song, since she intends to graduate in May. She explained, "this is the largest cast I've ever assembled, and the amount of enthusiasm they have is incredible. They have enough energy to blow the roof of the Arena."

This production concludes the Winter 1997 season of Basement Arts. With an excellent story and an acclaimed, creative director, "subUrbia" looks to be closing the Basement with a bang.

04-22-97