‘The Lily’s Revenge’ Completes Theater Department’s 2017-18 Season

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The theater department is closing its 2017-18 season with its production of the multi­media, multi­-genre “The Lily’s Revenge” April 18-29.

Written by queer New York performance artist Taylor Mac (McArthur Genius Fellow 2017, Pulitzer Prize Finalist 2017), the play is a bold allegory for the struggles and celebrations of LGBTQIA+ communities in contemporary American politics and invites audiences of all backgrounds to participate in radical acts of compassion and empathy.

“At its core, ‘The Lily’s Revenge’ is a play about community, courage, authenticity and expanding perceptions of love — all ideas which feel necessary and hopeful at this time,” says Jen Onopa, the graduate student who is directing the production.

Performances are April 18, 20, 26, 27 at 6:30 p.m. and April 21, 28, 29 at 1 p.m. The show begins in the Curtain Theater and travels to other spaces in the department.

April 27 is Pride Night; members of the LGBTQIA+ community are invited to wear favorite rainbows, wigs, heels, etc.

For tickets, visit the Fine Arts Center Box Office in person, online or by calling 1-800-999-UMAS. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, $15 for general admission. Credit cards and UCards accepted at the door.

“The Lily’s Revenge” follows a torch-singing anthropomorphic lily flower who falls in love with a human bride. Desperate to marry the bride, the Lily embarks on a hero’s quest to transform into a human man, but comes to realize that this might not be the only path to life-long happiness.

The production is a kaleidoscopic somersault in five parts, taking the audience from musical theater to spoken word to drag performance, as the Lily explores humanity, love, and self­-discovery in the pursuit of becoming a fully realized being. Along the way, the Lily meets other flowers, battles a nefarious curtain, and enters a high stakes world of haiku battles — while rocking a killer costume that would make any kween proud.

“The Lily’s Revenge” moves through different spaces in the department of theater over the course of a run time akin to the span of a wedding reception. Just as a wedding physically moves from ceremonial space to reception hall to after-party, audiences will too. Between these stages, audiences are offered opportunities to participate in a parade, to interact with characters and to ask questions about the production during the intermissions.