W&L Presents ‘EVERYBODY’ Writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who based this play on the anonymous 15th-century "Everyman," presents a new take on an old story and the old question of what happens when we cross over to the other side.
W&L presents “EVERYBODY,” a comedy about life’s greatest mystery: the meaning of living.Director Stephanie Sandberg and the Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies at Washington and Lee University present “EVERYBODY,” a comedy about life’s greatest mystery: the meaning of living. The play, which will be performed on the Johnson Theatre stage, runs from Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.
Writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who based this play on the anonymous 15th-century “Everyman,” presents a new take on an old story and the old question of what happens when we cross over to the other side.
“EVERYBODY” unfolds like a long dream. A Somebody (could be any one of us) turns into an Everybody and Everybody is trying to figure out how to make facing “Death” (with a capital D) easier. Somebodies turn into the characters of Friendship, Family, Love and other allegorical figures as Everybody tries to figure out who is willing to go with them to face the afterlife, where they have to give a presentation on their life and then face judgment.
“This play is meant to be funny,” Sandberg said. “It is an existential comedy about dying, but even more, it is a comedy about what it means to exist, and maybe existence is the funniest thing that ever happened to us.”
The show changes every night. Before the performance, the actors draw lots to decide who will play each part, changing the dynamics of each show ever so slightly. This enhances the dream-like quality of the production, a purposeful move that enhances the play’s message.
Order your tickets online today wlu.edu/lenfest-center or call the Lenfest box office at 540-458-8000 for ticket information. Box office hours are Monday – Friday, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., and one hour prior to performance time. University Swipe is available.
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