You may not know who John Patrick Shanley is, but you may have heard of the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning author’s famous melodrama “Doubt,” recently brought to the silver screen.
The author’s second play in a trilogy about American hierarchy, “Defiance,” is storming the Hippodrome theatre tonight in a run that will last through March 21.
In a special preview price tonight, tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students. They’ll normally run $25 to 30 for adults. Jessica Hurov, director of advertising and marketing at the Hippodrome, is excited about the prospect of this production.
The play’s setting is a North Carolina marine base in 1971. The camp is awash in racial tensions and a young black captain is promoted in an attempt to stem the racial tide of discontent. The young captain and his superior officer are soon caught in a “riveting web of moral issues that set the stage on fire.”
In order to realistically portray marine protocol, Hurov went to the local armed forces recruiter and Veterans of Foreign Wars to ask for some help.
“We talked to active duty and retired marines to make sure it’s true to life,” Hurov said. “They collaborated with us on everything from how to salute to the authenticity of the costumes.”
The Hippodrome is a self-producing professional theater that plans its season a year in advance. When a play is successful, an agent for the playwright will make the rights available to regional theater. According to Hurov, “Defiance” was grabbed as soon as it became available.
For more information, visit thehipp.org.
