Staged readings from “Dead Man Walking” to be performed at Notre Dame

Author: Erik Runyon

deadman.gif

The new stage adaptation ofDead Man Walking,written by actor and director Tim Robbins and based on the nonfiction book by Sister Helen Prejean, will be performed February 26 and 27 (Saturday and Sunday) and March 1 and 2 (Tuesday and Wednesday) at the DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts (PAC) at the University of Notre Dame. Performances are at7:30 p.m.with a Sunday matinee at2:30 p.m.

As part of Notre DamesSpring Arts Fest: Tolerance and Reconciliation,the staged readings – in which actors hold their scripts, and costumes and production are simplified – are designed to broaden public discussion on the death penalty.Robbins offered the draft version of the play to select Catholic colleges and universities across the country as a way to promote debate and discourse on capital punishment.

It is atypical for a playwright to share a script with the public, let alone colleges or universities, prior to its professional production,said Siiri Scott, assistant professional specialist in Notre Dames Department of Film, Television, and Theatre.We are very fortunate to be a part of this project.

In a letter written to the participating universities, Robbins, who considers the death penalty one of the key moral issues of our day, encourages students to delve into the issue of capital punishment and vigorously examine the issue as they view or participate in the play.

Ticket information is available on the Web at http://performingarts.nd.edu . Tickets may be purchased by visiting the PAC box office or by telephone at 574-631-2800.

TopicID: 9507