‘Lonely Planet’ shows struggles in negotiating world

With a map store as the backdrop, "Lonely Planet" explores how two men, Jody and Carl, struggle to negotiate the real world in Theatre VCU’s latest production. Virginia Commonwealth University will present the Steven Dietz play in October at the Shafer Street Playhouse, 221 Shafer Court.

Struck by illness, Jody finds shelter in his shop, which Carl begins to fill with chairs in memory to friends lost to AIDS. When Jody needs to take an AIDS test, Carl must convince his friend that he has the courage to leave the store and take responsibility for his life. The cast features Stephen W. Ryan as Jody and Justin Dray as Carl.

The production is directed by Matthew Reeder, a second-year graduate student. The play "deals with surviving in a depersonalized world, and the deep impact that our friendships have on our lives and our legacies," Reeder said. "Lonely Planet" earned the 1994 PEN Center USA West Award in drama for Dietz.

Designers for "Lonely Planet" include Maura Lynch Cravey, costumes; Adam L. Crump, scenes; Shannon Curtis, lighting; and Tony Young, sound. "Lonely Planet" is presented in memory of Kenneth Campbell, a VCU theater professor who died in August.

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"Lonely Planet" will be presented Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 28-30 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in the Shafer Street Playhouse. Tickets are $10 for general admission; $8 for seniors and VCU faculty and staff members; free for VCU students with valid ID. For tickets, call the Theatre VCU Box Office at 828-6026.