UMass Theater Presents: RHINOCEROS

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One pleasant Sunday morning in a quiet provincial French town, a drink between two friends is rudely interrupted by a rhinoceros barreling through. Clownish chaos ensues in Eugene Ionesco’s 1959 Theater of the Absurd masterpiece, Rhinoceros, and indeed, something very absurd happens — people start turning into the titular rhinos. How the villagers deal, or don't deal, with this pachydermal problem makes for comedy and commentary in UMass Theater's upcoming production of Rhinoceros.

The show opens on May 1 and runs through May 9 in the Rand Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the Fine Arts Center box office, and will be available at the door to the general public an hour before performance time for each show, including the 10 a.m. matinee.

While Ionesco wrote Rhinoceros in response to the rapid rise of fascism across World War II Europe, the play resonates far and wide in our world today. "Like our own world, the world of Rhinoceros is funny and raucous and ridiculous," says director Rose Schwietz Malla. "Inside of that lives this commentary on human behavior, mass movements, and herd mentality."

Dramaturg David Keohane agrees. "I think in our modern contemporary moment, a lot of what we encounter politically, socially, and environmentally, feels terrifying and dangerous and hilarious. I think this play in particular, leans more into the comedy, and more into the clowns of the world."

The humor, Keohane and Schwietz Malla agree, comes from the characters' ridiculous reactions to the collapse of their society. They argue over which rhino has how many horns, worry about the plates getting dusty during a stampede, and criticize laborers for working too slowly – but no one seems all that concerned about mass destruction and trampled pets.

Humor that prompts deeper reflection has been Schwietz Malla's calling card during her time as a director at UMass Theater. Last year she directed Xanadu, a comedic musical that considered the nature of creativity and love, and in the fall, she was responsible for Yoga Play, a biting comedy about appropriation.

Wondering if you’ll see a real rhinoceros onstage? She doesn't want to give away too much before the production opens, but Schwietz Malla did tease that the combination of foley artists, costumes, and choreography will bring unforgettable theatrical magic.

Run like a rhino to get your tickets and this show at UMass Theater!

RHINOCEROS
By Eugene Ionesco
Translated by Derek Prouse
Directed by Rose Schwietz Malla
May 1, 2, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m., May 2 & 9 at 2 p.m., May 6 at 10 a.m.
The Rand Theater
Purchase tickets at the FAC box office now: $19 including fees for general admission, $7 including fees for students, seniors, and Card to Culture. We'll also be selling at the door before each performance.
Content advisory: Coarse language and adult themes. Recommended for ages 13 and up

“Rhinoceros” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com