Why Torture is Wrong,
and the People Who Love Them
by Christopher Durang
Blurb:
Christopher Durang turns political humor upside down with this hilarious and provocative satire about America's “War on Terror." Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them tells the story of a young woman suddenly in crisis: Is her new husband, whom she married when drunk, a terrorist? Or just crazy? Or both? Is her father's hobby of butterfly collecting really a cover for his involvement in a shadow government? Don’t feel guilty about laughing hard at this new black comedy for an era of yellow, orange and red alerts.
Cast:
Felicity - Brooke Edwards
Zamir - Adam Flores
Luella - Kari Ely*
Leonard - Whit Reichert*
Rev. Mike - G.P. Hunsaker
Hildagarde - Jenn Bock
Voice/Narrator/Looney Tunes - Jordan Reinwald
* represents members of Actors' Equity, the union of professional actors and stage managers
Mentions/Awards/Kudos:
2010 Kevin Kline Award Winner:
Best Supporting Actress - Kari Ely
Download the archival photos here.
Critics' Reviews
"It's magic."
"As the mom, the great Kari Eli is the forest and the stars and the ocean, merely in a supporting role. Dressed like Donna Reed, she bubbles with all the latest chatter about the Broadway stage, playing verbal tennis with a racket made by Ionesco. And then there's her horrifying, momentary break-down, as sudden as a summer storm, and stunning in its realization."
"Marty Stanberry directs, I should mention, and though I'll never really know how he did it, you can credit him for putting this cast together, and for the good time."
- Richard Greene, Talkin' Broadway
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"Otis Sweezey ingeniously materializes the play's multiple locations with a few handsomely upholstered cubes and benches, with smart lighting by Sean Savoie. Director Marty Stanberry keeps playwright Durang's centrifugal forces reasonably well under control."
"As always with Durang, Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them takes us on a wild and funny ride."
- Bob Wilcox, KDHX Radio
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"The show has a lot to recommend it — notably Ely's recap-in-dance of modern musical theater and Reichart's nasty little smile over whatever weapon happens to be in his hand. Director Marty Stanberry also draws smart performances from G.P. Hunsaker as a minister who makes porn movies, Jenn Bock as an inept spy and Jordan Reinwald as the emcee from "Cabaret," now employed at Hooters. Otis Sweezey's set — featuring a ... distinctive ... twist on "American Gothic" — adds to the loony atmosphere."
- Judy Newmark, St. Louis Post Dispatch