Live Arts Theatre’s “Pocatello” will be presented at the Pinckneyville Community Center March 17-29 on weekends. Cast members back row L-R: Keith Franklin, Rodney L. Johnson, Thomas Jenkins, Shaye Davis, Justtyn Hutcheson, Blair Sanders. Front row L-R: Le Titia Sloan, Andre Eaton Jr., and Lory Cox.
Live Arts Theatre’s “Pocatello” will be presented at the Pinckneyville Community Center March 17-29 on weekends. Cast members back row L-R: Keith Franklin, Rodney L. Johnson, Thomas Jenkins, Shaye Davis, Justtyn Hutcheson, Blair Sanders. Front row L-R: Le Titia Sloan, Andre Eaton Jr., and Lory Cox.
Special PhotoLive Arts Theatre is one of Gwinnett’s most thought-provoking and tenacious theater companies, and although their next offering, “Pocatello,” is set in Idaho, audiences everywhere can relate to the play’s universal themes.
“’Pocatello’ is about community, family, and the places we associate with belonging,” said the play’s Director, Becca Parker. “I was drawn to this script because it explores the question ‘Why are our gathering places so essential to our sense of belonging to a community?’”
The play will be presented March 17-29 at the Pinckneyville Community Center. Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m.
A failing Italian restaurant in the small town of Pocatello, Idaho, celebrates “famigilia week” in an effort to drum up business and reconnect with its values — a bit contrived, considering the restaurant is one branch of a large and impersonal corporate chain. The plot revolves around the character of Eddie, the branch manager of this Italian chain restaurant in this unexceptional American city that is slowly being paved over with strip malls and franchises. But he can’t serve enough soup, salad and breadstick specials to make his hometown feel like home.
Eddie believes in the restaurant and in the town, and he refuses to give up on his home, even as businesses close and friends and loved ones move on to life outside Pocatello.
From acclaimed playwright and MacArthur Fellow Samuel D. Hunter, “Pocatello” is a comedic and heartfelt look into the changing landscape of middle America and the flawed and lovable people trying to build a home on shifting ground.
“Audiences can look forward to a play that is unlike anything they have seen before,” said Parker. “Oh, and I hear the breadsticks at Ulivetos (the play’s restaurant in Pocatello) are to die for!”
“It’s a funny, thought-provoking, immersive experience.” said Live Arts Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director Andre Eaton Jr., who also plays the role of Eddie. “The audience will experience theater in a completely different way, and I can’t wait to share it with them.”
The play is recommended for audiences 16 and up due to adult language and adult topics.
“Pocatello” is directed by Becca Parker, Live Arts Theatre’s co-artistic director. The cast includes Andre Eaton Jr., Shaye Davis, Thomas Jenkins, Rodney L. Johnson, Keith Franklin, Le Titia Sloan, Demmarie Boreland, Lory Cox, Justtyn Hutcheson and Blair Sanders.
Pocatello’s crew consists of TJ Sanson, assistant director, D Norris, stage manager, Andre Eaton Jr., set and lighting design, Michael Parker, sound design, Rodney L. Johnson, props, Austin Jenkins, Rob Bazarian, and Barbara Allen — run crew.
Gwinnett residents associated with the play are Sanders and Hutcheson who are residents of Duluth, Allen, who lives in Suwanee, and Cox, who lives in Berkeley Lake.
The Pinkneyville Community Center is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Berkeley Lake.
For tickets email boxoffice@liveartstheatre.org
For more information visit www.liveartstheatre.org or call 678-615-8392.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Holley Calmes is a freelance writer and public relations consultant specializing in the arts. Email her at hcalmes@ mindspring.com.
On Sunday, it was time for our clocks to "spring forward," lessening the night's sleep by one hour. While it may not seem too significant, Daylight Saving Time can definitely throw everyone for a loop. How do you handle it?
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
Thank you.
Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Ends: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Please log in, or sign up for a new, free account to read or post comments.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.