New CBC play explores the ‘reality’ in reality TV

The actors in Columbia Basin College’s In Observance of Lorraine Black didn’t have a movie to refer to as they were building their performances.

They couldn’t even draw from memories of seeing a past production.

That’s because the play has never been staged before. Its Tri-Cities run — opening night is Nov. 15 at CBC’s theater — will be the first time it’s performed anywhere in the world.

That’s exciting, said Ronn Campbell, director.

“What I love about this is, here are these students working really hard, working with a brand-new script. There’s no place they can see how someone else played the characters. They have to (create them) themselves,” he said. “They’re doing amazing.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15-18. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.

In Observance of Lorraine Black was penned by California playwright Jeanette Farr, who’ll be on hand Nov. 17-18 for Q&A sessions after the show.

Campbell and Farr met through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. He was looking for CBC’s next play, and she sent along some scripts.

Campbell said the Lorraine Black story resonated with him.

It centers on Lorraine Black, a woman with a terminal illness who becomes the star of a reality TV show.

It’s a meditation on celebrity culture and the “reality” of reality television. A dark comedy, it’ll leave audiences laughing — but also thinking and feeling, Campbell said.

“It leaves you a little more aware,” Campbell said.

The production stars McKenzie Kennedy as Lorraine and Connor Fotheringham as Jack, the show’s producer.

The cast also includes Scott Larson, Joe Pickard, Rachel Iverson, Jack Davis, Sydney Kovis, Chandler James, Tristen Everett and Ashley Purvis.

Campbell said bringing Farr’s script to life has been rewarding. The playwright has been available during the rehearsal process, including through video calls.

“Unlike with Shakespeare, I can call and talk to her,” he said. The result is a funny and thought-provoking production, Campbell said.

“It shows how these so-called reality shows often aren’t real,” he said. “It pulls back the curtain.”

Tickets are available at Adventures Underground in Richland, J.D.’s Time Center in Kennewick, the CBC Bookstore and through eventbrite.com.

This story was originally published November 9, 2017 at 2:07 PM with the headline "New CBC play explores the ‘reality’ in reality TV."