When a snowstorm forces eight complete strangers to spend the night at a diner, more than just eating occurs.
That is the basis of the Nanaimo Theatre Group’s upcoming production of the Bus Stop, a drama with a romantic storyline.
Bus Stop director Ron McAfee said there is no shortage of interesting dialogue.
“It’s not a play with a lot of action in it,” McAfee said. “It is more about the interaction between the various characters. I guess you would call it a character study.”
Bus Stop focuses on Cherie, a young woman who has left her home in hopes of becoming a nightclub singer, and Bo Decker, a young cowboy who dreams of marrying Cherie, despite her apparent lack of interest.
McAfee said that as a director the challenge with a production such as the Bus Stop is ensuring that the characters are interesting and that the dialogue keeps people hooked.
“The challenges in this are to show all of the differences between the various people and yet show the commonality that draws them all together,” McAfee said. “It is a play that you have really got to make the characters stand out and be interesting to the audience because as I say there isn’t a lot of actual action going on the stage.”
Bus Stop made its theatrical premiere in 1955 at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway. The production, which ran for more than 400 performances on Broadway, was written by playwright William Inge and was nominated for four Tony Awards in 1956.
McAfee said he hopes people walk away from the production with a positive vibes.
“I hope they walk away feeling that there is hope for everybody in some respect,” McAfee said. “Some of the affairs that happen or begin to happen throughout the course of the play are happier than others.”
Bus Stop runs from April 22-26, April 29-30, May 1-3 and May 6-9 at the Bailey Studio, 2373 Rosstown Rd. Show times vary.
Tickets prices are $18-$20 and can be purchased online at the Nanaimo Theatre Group’s website.
For more information, including a full cast lineup and show times, please visit www.nanaimotheatregroup.com.
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