Photo by Kyle Vertin
CLAIRE O’REILLY
Staff Writer
The sun is just about to set in a small town called Burnfield, and the local 20-somethings have all met up in their favorite hangout behind the 7-Eleven to light a few joints and crack open a few beers. Neil “Pony” Moynihan, a successful rock star who got out of Burnfield and actually made something of himself, returns to his old hangout, causing the friend group to realize the failings of suburban life.
“‘SubUrbia’ gives a peek into the lives of young adults exposed to the restrictions of a white suburban society, and it shows the struggles they have moving forward in life out of that society,” said sophomore BFA musical theatre major Jeffrey Kringer. “This is a climatic moment in their lives where they are separating and taking different paths, and it’s easier for some than others.”
Kringer plays the role of Jeff.
“Jeff is almost an intellectual in disguise,” said Kringer. “I think Jeff is terrified of embracing his potential because of the friends that he’s been hanging out with for years … Jeff knows his place in the town, but he doesn’t know his place in the world yet.”
While Burnfield is a fictional town, places like it exist in the United States today.
“[Burnfield] could be anywhere,” said senior BFA acting major and “SubUrbia” director Pablo Vazquez. “It was based originally [in] Massachusetts, but I’ve seen it in anywhere from New York to Florida and anywhere in between.”
Vazquez also said that it could even take place right here in Dunkirk.
“I think it’s important to know that there are suburban towns like this that are not exposed to political correctness,” said Kringer. “[It’s important to] just be aware that we are still a growing society and be sensitive to the way people are raised because that’s where it stems from. You can’t blame people for the way they think. It’s about blaming their roots — the way they were raised.” Kringer also said that the audience can sympathize and empathize with the characters without necessarily agreeing with their problems or their solutions.
“SubUrbia” is relatable to Fredonia students and college students anywhere.
“These are all 20- to 22-year-olds. These are people who are at a climactic moment in their lives, which is exactly where we are,” said Kringer. “We’re choosing our paths right now. As students, we’re choosing what we’re going to do for the rest of our lives. That’s exactly what [the characters] are doing.”
Kringer said that there is a relatable desire to be remembered for something and to know what life is all about that’s touched upon in the show. The characters in the show can also be seen as relating to the presidential candidates today.
“I think in the modern political context with the elections, there are characters like Tim and Sooze that have ideas that you can see reflected in some of the candidates today,” said Vazquez.
Sophomore musical theatre major Patrick Brett plays the character of Buff.
“I’m basing Buff off of three of the seven deadly sins: gluttony, sloth and lust,” said Brett. “Without a doubt, Buff thinks with one head, and it’s not the one on his shoulders. I imagine Buff made it past high school but didn’t pursue college because he was content working at a pizza place. Buff lives with his mom.”
Brett is a little nervous about a certain aspect of his role as Buff.
“I have to learn how to roller skate for this show. I have a week to learn,” said Brett. “I only wear them for the first five minutes, but it’s a big deal. I’m actually more scared than excited.”
Despite the skating nerves, Brett has a favorite scene as Buff.
“There’s this one scene where [Buff] explains what his ideal day would be if he was a rock star,” said Brett. “It’s a really fun scene because he is convinced that this ludicrous lifestyle is achievable, and everybody on stage is looking at him like he has three heads.”
As director, Vazquez has hopes for what the audience will be thinking about on their walk or drive home.
“My hope is that they are so, not weirded out, but just so taken aback by what they just saw that they think about how much … is similar to their own lives, the people they know from home and themselves,” he said.
Performing Arts Company’s presentation of “SubUrbia” will take place April 28 and April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and April 29 at 8 p.m. at the outdoor amphitheatre.