Preview: Zirn Sees the Specks of Light

April 14-16, 8:00 p.m.

Adams Pool Theatre

Directed by Jacob A. Brandt ’14

Produced by Mary C. Hallowell ’14 and Margaret Jiang ’14

Andrew J. Boyd ’14 and Jacob A. Brandt ’14 have imaginations that extend far beyond the small confines of the Adams Pool Theatre. As Boyd says, “one of the wonderful things about theater ... is the suspension of disbelief.” The suspension of disbelief plays an important role in an upcoming play that combines Sacramento, aliens, and punk rock.

“Zirn Sees the Specks of Light” is the only play this year written and directed by freshmen, besides the Freshman Musical. Boyd wrote the play, but would not reveal much about its plot. Instead, he talked about its inspiration. A Phoenix native, Boyd says, “I wanted to tell a story about Arizona ... especially since I was writing this play right after 1070 [a controversial state anti-illegal immigration law] was passed and I was thinking about multiculturalism.” He decided to take this idea of the alien in America and apply it, quite literally, to aliens who visit the United States and try to find their places in American culture.

The show incorporates socially conscious music into its thematic pursuits. Twin leads Eli E. Kahn ’13 (Zirn) and Will D. Kehler ’12 (Balthor) seem very excited about the prospect of bringing loud, brash punk rock into the Adams Pool Theater.

Punk rock is only one representation of the questions of membership and identity that pop up in the script. “Every scene has a quick, bantering pace to it, which is incredibly funny at the same time as it is an impressive vehicle for the underlying commentary on social norms and identity,” says producer Mary C. Hallowell ’14.

“I think our show is going to be one of the more exciting shows that people will be able to see on campus,” Boyd says. From the few plot and tech details that were revealed, “Zirn” promises to be—at the very least—an original exploration of one of today’s most pressing public debates.