Image: From Tony Award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, writer of “An Octoroon” and “Appropriate,” comes “Everybody,” a modern adaptation of the 15th century morality tale “Everyman,” which itself is thought to be an adaptation of an earlier Dutch play, “Elckerlijc.” Despite its archaic origins, however, Jacobs-Jenkins imbues the script with a contemporary edge that maintains faithfulness to the source material while targeting a modern audience. “I don’t really know what any of that was, but, again, it was based on something very very very old so please be respectful,” says a character near the end of the show, distilling “Everybody’s” wryly comedic tone to its essence. Everybody, the show’s titular stand-in for humanity at large, is called upon by Death to make their final journey. Everybody meets a myriad of metaphorical figures along the way – Stuff, Kindness, Senses, and Love to name a few – and is forced to contend with the age-old question of what truly matters once the end is near. Reflecting its focus on the unpredictability of both life and death, the script calls for the cast of “Somebodies” to be assigned a new role for each performance based on a lottery system. Each performer is therefore required to know every role in the show, only discovering their assignment once they are on stage. To give the performers ample time to memorize their lines, UGA Theatre’s production was cast at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. “It’s definitely a big undertaking,” said senior theatre major Olivia Vicos. “Coming in at the beginning of the year and going straight into rehearsal was intimidating at first, but with less time devoted to learning lines we were able to hone in on our characters more deeply.” As an adaptation of an adaptation, “Everybody” serves as an appropriate kickoff for UGA Theatre’s 2024-2025 season, which features four productions inspired by preexisting works. November will see the Fine Arts Theatre stage adorned in 1980s splendor for the musical production of “9 to 5,” with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick. In February 2025, “John Proctor is the Villain” opens in the Cellar Theatre. Set in rural Georgia, Kimberly Belflower’s play depicts the ways in which a high school class assignment on Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” raises uncomfortable questions amid the school’s salacious rumor mill. March will feature the annual New Georgia Award show, an original worked titled “The Art of Noticing” by undergraduate Dyllon Glaze. Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” will close out the season in April 2025, helmed by “Little Shop of Horrors” director Daniel B. Ellis. Ken Ludwig’s stage adaptation of the seminal mystery depicts the untimely demise of an American tycoon aboard an opulent passenger train and the subsequent investigation to discover the perpetrator. Athens, GA – UGA Theatre presents “Everybody,” written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by J.L. Reed. Performances will be held in the Cellar Theatre of the Fine Arts Building on September 20-21, 25-28 at 8 p.m. and September 29 at 2 p.m. A ticketed preview performance will be held on September 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18, $6 for students and can be reserved at ugatheatre.com/everybody or by phone at 706-542-4400 or in person at the Performing Arts Center or Tate Center box office. “Everybody” Cast Adam Bihi Somebody Nina Blair Somebody Eliza Davis Somebody Ariel Ford Somebody Isaac Gober Somebody Garrett McCord Somebody Sarah Posey Somebody Olivia Vicos Somebody Robert Cripps U/S Arushi Raza U/S UGA 2024-2025 Season “Everybody” by Branden Jacobs-JenkinsPreview: Sept. 19 @ 8:00 p.m.Sept. 20-21, 25-28 @ 8:00 p.m.Matinee: Sept. 29 @ 2:00 p.mCellar TheatreInfo & Tickets “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton & Patricia ResnickPreview: Nov. 14 @ 8:00 p.m.Nov. 15, 20-22 @ 8:00 p.m.Matinees: Nov. 17 & 24 @ 2:00 p.m. Fine Arts TheatreInfo & Tickets “John Proctor is the Villain” by Kimberly BelflowerPreview: Feb. 13 @ 8:00 p.m.Feb. 14-15, 19-22 @ 8:00 p.m.Matinee: Feb. 23 @ 2:00 p.mCellar Theatre Info & Tickets “The Art of Noticing” by Dyllon GlazeMar. 20-23 @ 8:00 p.m.Matinee: Mar. 24 @ 2:00 p.mCellar TheatreInfo & Tickets Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by Ken LudwigPreview: Apr. 10 @ 8:00 p.m.Apr. 11-12, 16-19 @ 8:00 p.m.Matinee: Apr. 13 @ 2:00 p.m.Fine Arts TheatreInfo & Tickets PURCHASING TICKETS Purchase tickets online at ugatheatre.com Call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5 minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets) or visit the Tate Center Box Office. "Everybody" Rehearsal Photos - 9/4 Rehearsals for Branden Jacobs-Jenkins "Everybody" from September 4, 2024. Opening in the Cellar Theatre September 20. Image: Image: Image: Image: Image: Image: Read More: ugatheatre.com
"Everybody" Rehearsal Photos - 9/4 Rehearsals for Branden Jacobs-Jenkins "Everybody" from September 4, 2024. Opening in the Cellar Theatre September 20. Image: Image: Image: Image: Image: Image:
