The Franklin College Theatre Department will present its second play of the year, “Comedy Shorts,” at 8 p.m. beginning Thursday, Nov. 18 through Saturday, Nov. 20 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21.  All performances will be in Théâtre Margot in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. Guests will be required to comply with institutional COVID restrictions in effect at that time.

This festival of short, comic plays will feature the work of Franklin College senior theatre and biology major Cameron McAbee, of Shelbyville. McAbee is also co-directing the productions with Nicolas Crisafulli, M.F.A., assistant professor of fine arts and theatre at Franklin College.

Crisafulli earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and political science from Presbyterian College in South Carolina and his master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Memphis. He joined the Franklin College faculty in 2009, after serving as a graduate instructor at the University of Memphis. He is a resident of Franklin.

Cast members of each of the comedies includes:

“The Kingdom of the Spiders” is a one-act play written by Nick Zagone. While retrieving his morning newspaper, a father discovers a black widow spider on his front porch. To his amazement and horror, the spider begins to criticize his parenting skills. As chaos begins to mount, the pair are encouraged to be more open minded, compassionate and challenge their beliefs. 

Maya McCloud, of Kokomo, will play the part of Black Widow.

Elliot McKinley, of Salem, will play the part of Bob.

Peighton Zebrowski, of Kokomo, will play the part of Bible Girl.

“Words Words Words” is a one-act play written by David Ives. Is it true that three monkeys typing into infinity will eventually reproduce “Hamlet”? Kafka, Milton and Swift, three intelligent chimpanzees, are about to find out.

Marian Case, of Pendleton, will play the part of Milton.

Nate Irskens, of Greenwood, will play the part of Kafka.

Josie Lyons, of Coatesville, will play the part of Swift.

“Time Flies” is a one-act play written by David Ives with a recurring theme: carpe diem (Latin for “seize the day”). In the play two young mayflies are on a first date when they realize they only have the lifespan of one day.

Justin Brogdon, of Commiskey, will play the part of Horus.

Josie Lyons will play the part of May.

Hann Lucas, of Indianapolis, will play the part of David Attenborough.

“Teeth” is a one-act play written by Max Reuben. A receptionist at a dentist’s office has to answer to her abusive boss when a large, carnivorous dinosaur shows up in the waiting room for his appointment and refuses to leave. Torn between the muffled, angry voice through her phone and the unintelligible dinosaur sounds from the potential patient, she must decide who the real monster in the situation is.

Katy Poff, of Edinburgh, will play the part of Receptionist.

Marian Case will play the part of Dinosaur.

General admission is $12. Admission for each performance is $8 for students and seniors (55 and older). Franklin College students, faculty and staff will receive free admission with a valid Franklin College ID.

To reserve tickets, email tickets@FranklinCollege.edu or call (317) 738-8029 or (800) 852-0232, ext. 8029. Please claim reservations ten minutes before the performance. The box office opens one hour before the performance.

Contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185 for more information. 

POSTED Nov 4, 2021