Centenary Theatre Program presents “Godzoola: An Evening of One Act Plays” October 20-23
SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary Theatre Program (CTP) opens its 2022-2023 season October 20 with “Godzoola: An Evening of One-Acts,” a double bill of plays set in New York City. Charlie Roppolo ’22, a CTP alumnus, directs Yasmina Reza’s Tony Award-winning God of Carnage, while John Gayle ’83, also a Centenary alumnus, takes on Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story. “Godzoola” will be performed at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on October 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and October 23 at 2:00 p.m.
From God of Carnage, which a New York Times reviewer described as, “a study in the tension between civilized surface and savage instinct,” to the provocative and suspenseful interaction between two strangers depicted in The Zoo Story, the theatrical selections showcased in “Godzoola” illuminate and dissect the human condition.
God of Carnage focuses on two sets of parents after an altercation between their boys at a park. The parents decide to meet and discuss the matter in a “civilized” manner, but as the evening progresses the parents become increasingly childish, and the civility devolves into utter chaos. CTP’s production features current Centenary students Hailey Chiasson ‘25 and Channing Hall ‘25 alongside Centenary alumnus Josh Talley ‘03 and Jared Watson.
“Conflict is inevitable in the kind of situation presented in Carnage,” explained director Roppolo. “When you hide behind a sort of faux confidence, it takes the smallest spark to light a bonfire. I’m excited to see what the audience thinks of this show. The entire piece is labeled and performed as a comedy, but there are some moments where the comedy will blind you from the tension until it is too late, and you are left shocked.”
Robert “Bob” Blue, vice president for finance and administration at Centenary, and Logan Sledge, associate professor of theatre, bring to life the dramatic interaction between strangers Peter and Jerry in The Zoo Story.
“Albee’s magnificent script is so infinitely layered I doubt even he understood it,” said director Gayle. “Zoo Story will scramble and reorient your thoughts about loneliness, connection, and what people really need to survive. Despite the intricacies of this play, Albee keeps it very real, vivid, and completely connected to his audience.”
Gayle also explained the origin of the double bill’s unusual name.
“Theatre people are notorious for shortening the name of their current production: God of Carnage becomes God; Zoo Story becomes Zoo,” said Gayle. “Since we were producing both one-act plays, we thought of God + Zoo performed in Louisiana (La) and the name became obvious: ‘Godzoola!’”
Tickets for “Godzoola” are available at centenary.edu/mlptickets. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and military personnel, $10 for students (with ID) and FREE for Centenary students, faculty, and staff. For more information about the Centenary Theatre Program, visit centenary.edu/theatre.