After one of his plays was shot down by the Waverly Community Players on multiple occasions, languages and literatures professor Grant Tracey took his plays fate into his own hands and started an independent theater company with Joe Frenna, with whom he had worked on previous plays. The company is called Theatre 40 Productions.
Tracey took six years to write the play, According to Chelsea. His main goal was to make the characters interesting and compelling, yet real.
Im so tired of being in plays where I dont feel the people are real, and that was my whole point, Tracey said. I want the people to be as real as possible.
According to Chelsea is essentially a love story with a mix of comedy and drama. It centers around a guy who, after his marriage ends, retreats into popular culture and film, of which he is a critic. The play is about his connection to Chelsea, a woman in his apartment complex.
When looking for places to perform the play, Tracey procured a rehearsal area in Bartlett Hall, and he and the others involved in the play decided that would be their stage. According to Chelsea takes place in one apartment and doesnt need special lighting or much set work.
After this play, however, Tracey said Bartlett probably wont be his venue of choice.
The performances of According to Chelsea are at 7 p.m. May 3, May 8-9 and May 16. There will also be a showing at 2 p.m. May 4. All performances will be held in Bartlett, Room 1017.
