Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre's Summer Repertory Theatre will open with five performances of Michel Tremblay's "Bonjour, Là, Bonjour."

The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, through Saturday, June 24, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. All shows will be in the Downstage Theatre located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

The play revolves around Serge, the youngest sibling and only male child of a French Canadian family, who has just returned from a three-month European trip. He went abroad to get away from his family and to think about his relationship with his father and four older sisters, explained Allen Oster, SFA professor of theatre and the play's director.

During the course of the 90-minute production, Serge converses with each family member, and the audience gradually learns of the various issues affecting the relationships. Tremblay's choice to intertwine the various scenes, jumping from one conversation to another, emphasizes the intrusive presence of "family" in everyone's life.

"There is no privacy within the family, because those not present are quickly informed by the others of what each person has said and done," Oster said. "The intertwined scenes capture the complex, entrapping web of family relations and obligations which pull each person in conflicting directions."

"Since the play is a close examination of familial relationships, we wanted the audience to be as physically near to the cast members and the action as possible," said Oster, "So, we are presenting it in the Downstage Theater, which seats approximately 90 people. In fact, we're presenting it as arena theatre so that the audience surrounds the stage area."

The unique arrangement can change the way the public views theatre, said Jessica Harkness, Orange junior who plays Monique. "Each person will see the play from a different angle."

Cassidy Risien, Dripping Springs sophomore who plays Lucienne, said she loves the relationships that are present in the play. "The family unit is comprised of complex mental, emotional and psychological relationships," she said.

But bringing those relationships to life can present a challenge, according to Harkness. "A family dynamic is especially difficult to emote. You are not only considering an individual's character and past; you have an entire family history in the back of your mind to consider," she said.

The play is set in Montreal in the 1970s, but it is definitely relevant to a modern audience, explained Justin Bauer, Austin junior who plays Serge. "While the definition of family is perpetually changing, everyone has family, even if it isn?t a conventional one."

"And there is at least one character in the play with whom each audience member will identify . . . the overeater, the pill junkie, the social climber," added Jennifer Noble, Mesquite senior who plays Denise. "We all have our vices, and so do these characters."

The two other plays included in the Summer Repertory season will be presented in repertory fashion beginning July 5. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

A.R. Gurney's "A Cheever Evening, " which is an adaptation of 17 of John Cheever's most humorous and moving stories, will be performed Wednesday, July 5; Thursday, July 6; Friday, 14; and Saturday, July15.

Martin McDonagh's "The Beauty Queen of Leenane, " starring Nacogdoches resident Rhonda Williams, will be presented Friday, July 7; Saturday, July 8; Wednesday, July 12; and Thursday, July13.

Due to adult themes, the season is recommended for mature audiences only.

Season tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Single tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.