The Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University will perform Dr. Kenn Stilson’s original dark comedy “Murphy’s Law” April 25-28, 2013 at the River Campus. The play is filled with humor and violence -- in soprano-like fashion -- and is set in the suburbs of St. Louis.
"Murphy's Law" is the story of two boys who grew up together and are so close, they are practically "blood brothers." At age 19, they join the mob and after 10 years serving in the mafia together, one sells out the other (perhaps even on accident) to an undercover agent -- so Murphy has been ordered to kill his best friend.
There is violence in the lives of the characters but there is also humanity and even comedy in the show. The play took two years to write and Stilson said that this was something he'd had in his mind for a long time because he was such a huge Sopranos fan and a fan of Tarantino films particularly "Pulp Fiction."
Stilson says he wanted to set a mafia story in the midwest. The references are local and things they reference are all set in Missouri. Many people don't realize that the mafia did exist in St. Louis historically and rather than setting this story in Chicago or New Jersey, Stilson decided to set it here.
Stilson is working to turn the script into a screenplay and believes because it is set in St. Louis, the department will have the resources to turn it into an independent film.
The play will be directed by a guest director, Dave Starwalt. Stilson met Starwalt back in 2007 when Stilson wrote and directed "Fire Lily." Starwalt has spent over three decades working in the entertainment industry and has acted in such films as "Good Guys Wear Black" and "Predator 2." He has also taught acting and comedy improvisation in Los Angeles.
"Murphy's Law" will be performed April 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. April 27-28 in the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theater at Southeast's River Campus. Tickets are available at the River Campus Box Office by calling 573-651-2265 or at River Campus Events.com
The play contains adult language and content.
