photo by Bailey Braden
UTC Theatre Co. presents Molly Smith Metzler’s play Elemeno Pea, which centers around sisters Devon and Simone. Simone works as a personal assistant to Michaela Kell, a trophy wife to a wealthy ad executive. When down-to-earth Devon arrives at Martha’s Vineyard for a sisters’ weekend, plans are cut short when Michaela shows up in hysterics with the threat of her marriage falling apart. Worlds collide in this comedy about class and family. In the review written by Andy Crump of The Artery of Boston’s NPR Arts Station, he quotes Metzler, “Class has nothing to do with income.
It has nothing to do with net worth. It’s kind of this imposed structure, and it’s a mask that we all put on and wear.” Metzler represents this imposed structure in Elemeno Pea to show how far we go to fit in. Along with her stage credits, Metzler also writes for film and television. Some of those credits include Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black and Showtime’s Shameless.
Director Gaye Jeffers says, “The play is a dark comedy that tackles the ideas of wealth and privilege. The wonderful gift of the play is that it challenges us to look at our preconceived notions of those who live without material need but still remain in need in other ways. Empathy for others remains in short supply, regardless of income level.”
The creative team includes: Gaye Jeffers (director), Adam Miecielica (set design), Kimberly Davis (costume design) and John R. Burgess (lighting design and technical director).
UTC Theatre Co. presents Elemeno Pea in the Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre located in the UTC Fine Arts Center. The play runs February 13-17 at 7:30 pm, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 17. Tickets can be purchased at the UTC Fine Arts Center box office in person or by phone at 423-425-4269, or by visiting
www.utc.edu/theatre-speech/productions. Tickets are $12 general admission; $10 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors.
Audiences should be aware that Elemeno Pea contains adult language and content.
The company of Elemeno Pea includes Hannah Davis (stage manager), Madeline Franklin-Dean (dramaturg and assistant director), Carmin Pebley (Simone), Leigh-Ana Sharkey (Devon), Zack Shreeve (Ethan), Linsey Watkins (Michaela), and Jesse Wilyat (Jos-B).