A new play is coming to the NIU School of Theater and Dance, “Booked and Blessed…OR BUST.”
The play was originally titled “Something, Somewhere, Somehow” but was changed earlier this year and written by Alexander Perez.
Perez is a Cuban-American playwright from New York City and has been writing plays since 2015. His plays have been performed in a variety of places including New York, Chicago and London.
Some of his recent work includes “Randy’s Dandy Coaster Castle” (2022), “The In-Between” (2022) and “Prelude to a Hostile Takeover”(2021).
The play is directed by Frankie DiCiaccio, who previously was an instructor for the SOTD.
DiCiaccio previously directed “The Walk Across America for Mother Earth, Love and Information,” and “Edward II,” at NIU.
The play looks at the modern entertainment industry and shares a glimpse at how the industry works.
The show shares a series of amusing stories of different actors and their experiences with show business.
One such actor is Lucille, who gets upset when her Broadway contract doesn’t instantly make her a star.
Another character gets violent after not getting a part.
The show looks at the intricacies and feelings of people in the entertainment business.
“At its heart, the play asks ‘what does it take to succeed in this business – and what does it look like, when you do?’” DiCiaccio said.
This show will make its first full run at NIU, according to New Play Exchange.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 5 and 6 and 2 p.m. on April 7 in the Black Box Theatre at the Stevens Building. More showings will take place from April 11 to April 13.
Tickets are available online and must be purchased ahead of seeing the show. Tickets are free for NIU students and $12 for non-NIU students. Adults are $20 and seniors are $18.
