The Lycoming College Theatre Department will present the drama “Machinal” by Sophie Treadwell on April 11-12 and 17-19 at 8 p.m. in the College’s Mary L. Welch Theatre.

Inspired by the notorious American murderess Ruth Snyder, who conspired with her lover to kill her husband in 1927, this expressionist play, which premiered in 1928, profiles a young woman who is broken by the overpowering pressures of the industrialized world. Written in nine short scenes, the play uses such expressionistic devices as a cacophony of sound effects, staccato dialogue, and a larger-than-life, sometimes robotic, acting style. Expressionism combines with realism to create the lead character’s nightmarish existence. The author described the play as being about "a young woman, ready, eager for life, for love . . . but deadened, squeezed, crushed by the machine-like quality of the life surrounding." 

British playwright Nicholas Wright explained, “This is a play written in anger.  In the dead wasteland of male society--it seems to ask--isn’t it necessary for certain women, at least, to resort to murder?” The play has been produced innumerable times since its critically acclaimed 1990 revival in New York.

The play is directed by N.J. Stanley, assistant professor of theatre at Lycoming, and features the acting talents of a 13-member cast. Sophomore Katie Rancik plays the Young Woman, and her mother is performed by junior Stephani Crecelius. Her husband, Mr. Jones, is played by the theatre department’s artist in residence, Peter Aylward. Senior Barry Schaub is Richard Roe, the Young Woman’s lover. Various roles are performed by the nine-member ensemble, which includes seniors Arielle Blanton and Vince Sisley; juniors Sarah Runtas, Matt Shiplet and Tyler Winthrop; sophomores John Forrester, Tom Musser and Rebecca Schoeneberger; and freshman Steve Ferguson.

A “Machinal” “Dinner and a Show” will be held Saturday, April 12, in the Jane Schultz Room, Wertz Student Center. The evening includes a 1920s Americana menu: spring mix garden salad, strip steak, rosemary red potatoes, fresh green beans, with a tart slice of lemon meringue pie. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:30 p.m., for a leisurely dining experience before the 8 p.m. performance. Tickets for “Dinner and a Show” are $15 and must be purchased at the box office in advance by calling 570-321-4048 by Monday, April 7.

For tickets to “Machinal” or the “Dinner and a Show,” stop by or call the Mary L. Welch Theatre Box Office, open Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m., starting Monday, March 31. Show tickets may also be purchased beginning at 6:30 p.m., before each performance. General admission tickets are $10 each; senior citizen and student tickets are $8 each. Special group rates are available by contacting the box office. Due to adult situations, “Machinal” is suitable for ages 13 and above with parental discretion advised. For more information, call 570-321-4048 or visit www.lycoming.edu/boxoffice.

George H. Jones (Peter Aylward) tells his new bride Helen (Katie Rancik) a joke on their honeymoon.

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