The year is 2010. In the windowless breakroom of a Hobby Lobby in Boise, Idaho, a 17-year-old high school student is forced to confront some serious existential crises following the sudden arrival of his estranged father, who himself is fleeing from personal demons following scandals at his Evangelical church in Northern Idaho. And these two aren’t the only ones with issues to confront as they try to deliver top notch customer service at minimum wage for their banal big box retailer.
Thus is the stage set for “A Bright New Boise,” The College of Idaho’s fall theatre production, directed by Justin Ness. The show runs from Nov. 2-5 and Nov. 9-12 in the Langroise Studio Theatre, with tickets costing $15 for general admission and $10 for non-C of I students and seniors. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on the Sunday performances.
“This show really has a lot of new ideas, and it touches on subjects that you’re not going to see in every other show,” said C of I junior theatre major Alexander Sproule-Fendel, who performs on the show’s cast as 17-year-old Alex. “It doesn’t lie to you about what it’s trying to say. It’s blunt, it’s honest, and it’s powerful.”
The production is not only contemporary and modern, but also uniquely Idahoan. Written by Idaho playwright Samuel D. Hunter, “A Bright New Boise” features numerous references to Idaho history and particular towns and cities within the state, including Coeur d’Alene, Eagle, Pocatello and even Caldwell.
Although he is not native to Idaho like the characters, Sproule-Fendel said he has spent enough time in Idaho since moving to the area for high school to fully appreciate the subtle nuances of the character’s attitudes and their localized interests.
“I feel at home in this piece,” Sproule-Fendel said. “My character lives in a city, he uses an iPod. It’s a show that takes place in a modern setting, and it has a real homelike feel. I can really connect to it because of how close everything feels.”
“A Bright New Boise” won the 2011 Obie Award for Playwriting and was a nominee for the 2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. Hunter, who is from Rathdrum, Idaho, is the 2012 recipient of the Whiting Award for Drama and a recipient of the 2014 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship.
Director Justin Ness attended the play’s 2010 premiere in New York City and met with the playwright following the show. He recalled being “blown away” by the play, but did not expect he would end up directing it until the opportunity came for the C of I to perform it.
“This play has been in my life for seven years, and I couldn’t be more excited to have the chance to direct it now,” Ness said. “I think it seeks to answer the age old question of ‘Who are we?’ It speaks to what faith can cause us to do in our lives, and what shapes forgiveness can come in, and how family looks like, not only biologically, but on a chosen level.”
For junior English and Education major Kaitlyn Heller, who serves on the cast as hapless Hobby Lobby employee Anna, the show allows her the opportunity to both express herself and explore the layers of darkness that comes with the play’s message.
“It’s thrilling the ways that the theatre can help you get to these darker places and find a way to put yourself out there in a vulnerable way,” Heller said. “I love being able to be involved with a program like this where I can be part of something bigger.”
Other cast members include Benjamin Wood, Jeanna Vickery, David Garrison, Walker Goldy and Brian Jankowski. Michael Hartwell serves as scenic designer, Deborah Penrod serves as costume designer, Laura Sunderlin serves as lighting designer, and Thomas Newby serves as sound designer.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office in Langroise or online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/theatre-productions. Tickets are also available for purchase over the phone by calling the Langroise Box Office at (208) 459-5426.
The College of Idaho has a 125-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, four NFL players and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.