Rodents inhabit Basement

Living in a chaotic world in which individuals wander silently past each other, human beings yearn to have a voice in society. This human condition is the central theme of David Mamet's play "Squirrels," which will be performed by Basement Arts.

David Mamet is well known both for his creations in theater and on the screen. His works are marked by intensely confusing plot lines and are praised for their innovative dialogue. His other plays include "Olenna," "Speed the Plow" and "Glengarry Glen Ross."

One of David Mamet's earliest works, "Squirrels" is a play in which two writers are struggling with writer's block. Art, an "experienced" writer of 50, is striving to be heard. He desperately wants to be discovered by the world.

Subconsciously attempting to cope with a moment from his past that has kept his life at a halt, Art obsessively writes simple stories about squirrels. Simultaneously, his 25-year-old apprentice Ed, also reaches for attention. Believing that anything is possible, he will stop at nothing to reveal his overly optimistic and idealistic dreams about would-be love.

Throughout the play, the Cleaning Lady, viewing them with non-judgmental eyes, tries to help them learn more about themselves and discover for herself what is truly "good writing."

The cast of "Squirrels" is comprised of BFA Performance majors from the School of Music. Philip Pirkola plays Art and sophomore Steve Best portrays the flighty Ed. Earlier this year, Pirkola and Best performed in "Split" at the Arena Theater. Joining these two actors, Sandra Abrevaya becomes the Cleaning Lady.

Charlie Jett, a Music junior, makes his directorial debut with "Squirrels." He is attracted to Mamet's script because he feels "it invites the audience to re-evaluate the way one share's his or her life with others," he said.

Jett's interpretation of "Squirrels" goes beyond the writer's block conflict. He believes that it is a play about lost love and the struggles of relationships. Jett describes Mamet's work as "a story about the painful reality of love. It confronts the experience of losing love and the painful decision to dwell on the past or to move forward and to find someone else."

In spite of this, "Squirrels" is not overwhelmed by melancholy and hopelessness. It is a play about loss and the new beginning that results in the ending of an other. Jett urges people to "look a little deeper within themselves," and to discover what they are dying to tell the world.

03-17-99