KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The University Theatre at the University of Kansas will present Lisa Loomer’s “Distracted” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 7, 8 and 9; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Jeff List, a doctoral student from Bowling Green, Ohio, is directing the production. Delores Ringer, associate professor of theatre, is scenic designer; Gema Resendiz, a junior from Waukegan, Ill., is lighting designer; Brena Bessa, a senior from Manus, Brazil, is costume designer; and J.T. Nagle, a junior from Osawatomie, is sound designer.

“Distracted” premiered in March 2007 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, starring Rita Wilson. A New York City production, staged in spring 2009, off-Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company, starred Cynthia Nixon.

A fast-paced comedy about life in the digital age, “Distracted” is the story of a mother and her easily distracted, readily riled son, recently diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. The play questions whether the diagnosis is correct or if the boy is simply overstimulated by TV, computers, cell phones and video games — just like his parents, the neurotic neighbors, his clueless doctors and everyone else living in the revved-up, whacked-out webcast of modern life.

The boy doesn’t pay attention in school or get along with the other kids, so neighbor ladies recommend the latest drugs, doctors and treatments they’ve tried on their kids or heard about at the PTA, List said. While the mother consults with doctors, the boy’s teacher and other characters, all with different recommendations, the boy’s father is resistant to drugs and medical intervention.

“He just wants his kid to be normal but not at the expense of turning him into a nice quiet vegetable who watches the Weather Channel for days on end,” List said. “While Mama is inclined to let her boy be, the sudden appearance of the kid brings the theorizing in the play down to earth.”

General admission tickets for “Distracted” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982, and Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for students and $14 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. All major credit cards are accepted for phone and online orders.

Students in the cast and production roles are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high schools and role.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049
Laura B. Williams, sophomore; theatre major; daughter of Brad and Sheila Williams; Lawrence High School; Vera.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City 67801
Kirby Anderson, senior; theatre major; daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kurtis Anderson; TMP Marian School; Zvavala, Waitress and Carolyn.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66213
Hunter Alexander, eighth-grader; son of Heidi Alexander and Matt Alexander; Oxford Middle School; Jessie.

From Overland Park 66223
Jordan Foote, senior; theatre major; son of Steve and Kim Foote; Blue Valley High School; Jinks, Broder and Karnes.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Osawatomie 66064
J.T. Nagle, junior; film and media studies major; son of Bill and Donna Nagle; Paola High School; sound designer.

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Jake Smith, junior; theatre and English major; son of Marc and Molly Smith; Council Grove High School; Dad.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Havana Mahoney, sophomore; photo media major; daughter of Tom and Tracy Mahoney; Manhattan High School; Natalie.

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401
Marilyn Haines, junior; theatre and Russian major; daughter of Bob and Linda German and Jeff Haines; Bennington High School; Holly, Waller and Nurse.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Goddard 67052
Ashley Hoyle, sophomore; theatre major; daughter of Kevin and Kandy Hoyle; Wichita Northwest High School; Sherry.

ILLINOIS
From Waukegan 60085
Gema Resendiz, junior, theatre design, daughter of James and Gema Resendiz; Waukegan High School; lighting designer.

OHIO
From Bowling Green 43402
Jeffery James List, doctoral student in theatre; master’s from Bowling Green State University; bachelor’s from Alma College; director.

TEXAS
From Kingwood 77345
Elizabeth Elliott, senior; theatre major; daughter of Paul and Shannan Elliott; Kingwood High School; Mama.

BRAZIL
From Manus
Brena Mara Bressa Lima, senior; design major; daughter of Indra Mara dos Santos Bessa; costume designer.