Western to Stage Musical ‘Family Game Night’ Oct. 20-29

Kendra Phillips’ a cappella musical “Family Game Night,” which will run at Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center DUG Theater from Oct. 20-29, grew out of a desire to inject hope into would seem like a hopeless situation.

It poses difficult questions: how do we love in the midst of darkness? To where or to whom do we look when we are out of answers? Is anyone beyond a second chance? The play follows a visit home by Connie with her new boyfriend, expecting a simple meet-the-parents visit. As the visit unfolds, Connie confronts deception, skeletons, and dismaying revelations.

Phillips developed “Family Game Night” at Pacific Lutheran University. A group of PLU alumni workshopped the play in Tacoma during the summer of 2015. With funding through a GAP Grant received from Artist Trust the Northwest Playwrights Alliance performed a staged reading at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. WWU Professor Mark Kuntz, a board member of Northwest Playwrights Alliance, took an interest in the musical and chose to bring it Western.

Phillips is young playwright in the Seattle area. She has bachelor’s degrees in Acting/Directing from Pacific Lutheran University, and currently works as an educator and music director for Mercer Island-based Youth Theatre Northwest. For nearly two years she has worked with Northwest Playwrights Alliance facilitating 10-minute play contests and festivals and providing dramaturgical assistance. In 2015 she was invited to participate in a writer’s co-op retreat sponsored by HBMG Foundation and Creede Repertory Theatre. Her previous productions include “Pancakes and Eggs” and “Greek Gods in a Diner” at Seattle's Eclectic Theatre; an adaption of “Tads” by Eva Suter with Theater Arts Olympia; and an adaption of “Riders to the Sea” with original music for flutes at Pacific Lutheran University.

“Family Game Night” performs Oct. 20, 21 and 26-29 at 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 22 and 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12-16 with discounts for students. The show contains mature content and themes. Tickets, disability accommodation, and parking information are available by calling the box office at (360) 650-6146 or at cfpa.wwu.edu/theatredance.

 

Image:  Kendra Phillips