A spokesperson says---
“...Rhinoceros is a pivotal work of absurdist drama that explores the themes of conformity, logic, and existential isolation. The action unfolds in a provincial French town where, one by one, the inhabitants embrace their most bestial selves. Phillip Solano plays dissolute alcoholic Berenger, whose friendship with persnickety perfectionist Jean (John Paul Middlesworth) and burgeoning office romance with idealistic Daisy (Alexa Griffin) are threatened by the arrival of the rampaging beasts.
The ensemble cast portrays various perspectives on the problem: conspiracy theorist Botard (Gus Hummings), romantic rival Dudard (Jayden Peszko), the nonsensical Logician (Archil Megrelishvili), and loyal but practical wife Mrs. Boeuf (Lola Ureña) provide real-world reactions to an incomprehensible situation, further illustrated by the rest of the townspeople (Ali Patalano, Dylan Atwood, and Lydia Sayers).
lonesco wrote the play in 1959, but his inspiration may have come during his college years in Romania in 1927, as his fellow students, professors, and intellectuals began to succumb to the “ideological contagion” of political fanaticism and the rise of Nazi Germany..."
CAST:
Phillip Solano ……… Bérenger
JP Middlesworth ……… Jean
Alexa Griffin ……… Daisy
Lola Ureña ……… Mrs. Boeuf
Gus Hummings ……… Botard
Jayden Peszko ……… Dudard
Dylan Atwood ……… Mr. Papillon
Bryan Squires ……… Grocer/ Fireman
Ali Patalano ……… Grocer’s Wife
Archil Megrelishvili ……… Logician
Lydia Sayers ……… Housewife/ Little Old Man’s Wife
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director: Adam Traylor
Assistant Director/SM: Lindsay Womack
Fight/Intimacy: Lily Kays
Choreographer: Ronnie West
Costume Design: Lydia Houston
Props Design: Taylor Bugge
Lighting Design: MacKenzie Ulibarri
Sound Design: Brooks Fredrickson
Technical Director: John Paul Middlesworth
Photos courtesy of Switch Theatre Company
