Widener’s Lone Brick Theatre Company Presents Lisa Loomer’s "Distracted"

The cast of “Distracted” gets into character. Pictured in front are Jared Bernatowicz and Joann Klein. Pictured in the back from left to right are Kimberly Miller, Bridgette Saverine, Erika Sprague and Brittany Hughes.

Widener University’s new Lone Brick Theatre Company presents the first show of its inaugural season on Nov. 8, 2013 with the production “Distracted,” a comedy by playwright and screenwriter Lisa Loomer.

“Distracted” centers on the story of Jesse, a 9-year-old boy who may or may not have attention deficit disorder, and his mother who is on a quest for answers. The play presents a hilarious, provocative and poignant look at a modern family and an epidemic dilemma: Are we so tuned into our 24/7 info-rich world that we've tuned out what really matters?

Robert Reutter, company director and senior lecturer of English at Widener, is excited to see theatre return to Widener University after a year-long absence. “This is a fantastic show to reinvent theatre at Widener,” Reutter said. “Loomer’s chaotic vision of distraction matches Lone Brick’s mission to find theatre in uncommon spaces, which is why we chose to present the show as site specific theatre.”

In site specific theatre, a production is adapted based on the nontraditional setting selected for the performance. All performances of “Distracted” take place in what is traditionally a classroom setting in Room 1 of Kapelski Learning Center on Widener’s Main Campus in Chester, Pa. Therefore, classroom features like the chalkboard and the projector are incorporated into the performance. 

“Distracted” stars freshmen Joann Klein of Broomall, Pa., as Mama and Jared Bernatowicz, also of Broomall, as Dad. They play Jesse’s distraught and distracted parents. Rounding out the cast are Widener students Patrick Hitschler of Philadelphia, Brittany Hughes of Chester, Tiffany Johnson of Bridgeport, Pa., Kimberly Miller of Sayville, N.Y.,  Bridgette Saverine of Bridgeton, N.J., and Erika Sprague of West Deptford, N.J. 

“Distracted” is Loomer’s most recent play. She is best known for “The Waiting Room,” which premiered in 1994 and features three women from different time periods who meet in a modern doctor’s waiting room. They suffer from the effects of their respective society’s cosmetic body modification practices. Loomer also co-wrote the screenplay for the film “Girl Interrupted.” 

Performances of “Distracted” run November 8, 9, 14 and 16 at 8 p.m., and November 10 and 17 at 7 p.m. 

Purchase tickets online through Lone Brick’s events page at ticketleap.com or cash only at the door. Ticket prices are $8 for general admission; $5 for Widener University alumni, faculty and staff, as well as non-Widener University students; and $2 for current Widener University students. Proper ID is required for discounted tickets.

For more information, visit the Lone Brick Theatre Company on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lonebricktheatrecoA hilarious, provocative, and poignant look at a modern family and an epidemic dilemma: Are we so tuned into our 24/7 info-rich world that we've tuned out what really matters?

Lone Brick Theatre is Widener University’s resident theatre company dedicated to producing non-traditional theatre through innovative scripts, staging, directing and performance. Drawing from the talent and ingenuity of Widener’s students, faculty and staff alike, the company also seeks to give a creative voice to the rich diversity of the campus community while broadening the traditional role of theatre as a humanities discipline by actively seeking venues for cross-disciplinary collaboration.