Where does a middle-aged zookeeper from Queens turn when he wishes to pursue his dreams of being a star? When both a casting director from Hollywood and the Pope visit Artie Shaughnessy's hometown at the same time, he is sure that miracles will ensue. However, the events that follow their arrival have devastating repercussions, bringing Artie's dreams to a crushing halt. Director Joya Colon-Berezin ('02) brings John Guare's dark comedy about a dysfunctional New York family to the Oberlin College Little Theater stage with the aid of nine student performers. Due to the shocking nature of the play's ending, the show is not recommended for children. The performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 1, 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, in the Little Theater behind Hall Auditorium. The performances are sponsored by the Oberlin College Theater and Dance Program.

First performed in New York in 1971, the tragicomedy was described in The New Yorker as, "a whole series of shock treatments." John Guare states, "the play is about, more than anything else: humiliation. Everyone in the play is constantly being humiliated by their dreams, their loves, their wants..." Bringing together humor and tragedy, the audience should be prepared to walk away questioning the American dream and how far one would go to achieve it in our society. The enthusiastic and dedicated Oberlin students making up the cast are: Michael Lebovitz ('02) as Artie Shaughnessy; Hallie Gnatovich ('04) as his wife, Bananas; Jill Briana Donnelly ('04) as Artie's mistress, Bunny; Jonah Metropolis ('04) as Ronnie, Artie's son: Aaron Helgeson ('04) as Artie's friend, Billy; Amy Flanagan ('04) as Billy's girlfriend, Corrina; and Aubri O'Connor ('04), Christa Henderson ('03) and Lauren Flicker ('04), as a trio of Nuns who come across Artie and his family while on the way to meet the Pope. Senior Joya Colon-Berezin ('02) is directing the production with the assistance of Casting Director, Emma Cott ('02), Scenic Designer/Technical Director, Aaron Mucciolo ('02) and Stage Manager, Jessie Male ('05).