Conservative versus liberal, political versus personal, father versus daughter. Such are the forces at play in “civil disobedience,” a world premiere drama by Carter Lewis, playwright-in-residence in the Performing Arts Department (PAD) in Arts & Sciences.
The PAD will present “civil disobedience” at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre. Performances continue the following weekend at 8 p.m. March 2 and 3 and at 2 p.m. March 4.
Commissioned by the PAD, “civil disobedience” centers on the relationship between Fred, a conservative justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Court, and his daughter, Marlee, a social activist and Manhattan bookstore owner.
When Fred steps down from the bench following the sudden death of his wife, Marlee is tasked with driving him to reluctant retirement in the liberal bastion of California.
Along the way, the pair encounters a cross-section of modern-day America — a cheerful drug dealer, a downsized company man and a World Trade Center grief counselor whose brother is serving in Iraq.
“I was around in the 1960s, and I observed the student unrest over Vietnam,” Lewis said.
“Today, we’re in a situation that has a lot of similarities, but also some differences,” Lewis added. “I’m interested in how things have changed, and how our attitudes, our government and social structures affect the way we dissent.”
“civil disobedience” marks the fourth collaboration between Lewis and director Andrea Urice, senior lecturer in the PAD.
The play is influenced by contemporary events and explores the intersection of politics and family.
“‘civil disobedience’ is a road play,” Lewis said. “There’s a lot of story, a lot of plot stuff. It almost has the structure of a mystery, with buried elements that eventually come to the surface.”
The cast is led by senior Lauren Dusek as Marlee and James Anthony, a St. Louis Equity actor and guest artist in the PAD, as Fred.
Sharing the remaining roles are sophomore Justin Joseph and junior Noga Landau.
Costumes are by Bonnie Kruger, senior lecturer and coordinator of the PAD’s Design & Technical Theatre Program.
Set design is by Justin Barisonek, a 2002 PAD alumnus and technical director for Saint Louis University.
Lighting design is by senior Derek Dohler. Sound design is by Chris Wilson, a 2006 PAD alumnus.
Tickets are $15; $9 for students, seniors, and faculty and staff and are available through the Edison Theatre box office at 935-6543 and all MetroTix outlets.
For more information, call 935-6543.