Theatre VCU to present world premiere of "umbilical discord"

By Lissette Linares and Ann Ford

RICHMOND, Va. – A hilarious and loving female farce, "Umbilical Discord" will make its world debut at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at Virginia Commonwealth University's Raymond Hodges Theatre, Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Ave. Co-authored by a VCU graduate student, the play will be produced at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and 15-18 and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

"Umbilical Discord" is the tale of three desperate sisters: Mary, a delusional nun who lives life through old movies, played by Jennifer Krisch; Kate, a neurotic, displaced homemaker, played by Kristi Rau; and Joan, an egocentric lesbian, clinical psychologist, played by Carrie Tongarm. Convinced that their mother's fianc', Hamekamehani, is in the relationship only for the money, the sisters attempt to stop her from marrying the younger Hawaiian man played by Roi Boyd. The mother is played by Jeanie Rule.

"The play is a clever comedy that reinvents family values by tossing them upside down and bringing them into question," said David Leong, chairman of Theatre VCU "This production is definitely a highlight of this season."

"Umbilical Discord"

Co-authored by VCU's Janet Wilson, a third-year graduate student, and Lora Lee Cliff, a freelance actress, acting teacher and writer who lives in New York City, the play offers a number of surprising twists, keeping the audience guessing until the very end.

"So many times in our lives we are confronted with situations we don't want to accept, both in ourselves and in our surroundings," said director Robin Armstrong, a third-year VCU graduate student. " 'Umbilical Discord' uses humor to examine the chaos we create when we refuse to accept the changing or the unchangeable in us or in the people in our lives."

The set designer for the show is Ron Keller, with Andrew "Squee" Timko on lighting, Seth Meyrow on sound and Maury Cravey on costumes.