KU News Release

LAWRENCE — “Lobby Hero,” Kenneth Lonergan’s contemporary comedy, will be staged by the University Theatre at the University of Kansas at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 and 30 and Nov. 2 and 3; 9 p.m. Oct. 29; and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at the William Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Seok-Hun Choi, a doctoral student from Seoul, South Korea, is directing the production. Scenic and costume designer is Elahe Marjovi, a graduate student from Tehran, Iran, and lighting designer is Kristina Banton, a senior from Olathe.

“Lobby Hero,” first performed in March 2000 at Playwrights Horizons, shows a vivid slice of contemporary life following four ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

Jeff, a night security guard in an apartment building in New York City, is as clumsy in life as he is in his affections for a rookie cop. Although nobody thinks what he does in the lobby is the most important job in the world, he opens and locks the lobby door for the tenants and visitors, greets them with a smile, receives their mail and packages and does whatever other trifling services he can offer for their benefit. Jeff also knows all the private business of the people in and around the building. When Jeff’s supervisor and mentor comes to him with a moral dilemma, Jeff’s loyalty is put to the test.

“The lesson Lonergan gives us is not that different from that of Spiderman: whoever and wherever you are, what you are doing is important, and you have both the power to change the world and the responsibility that comes with it,” Choi said.

Although the emphasis in “Lobby Hero” is primarily on humor, there’s a morality play tucked into there, he added.

“Jeff does not have a notable career or a grand scheme of life, let alone the power a superhero, but he turns out to be the most powerful figure in the play and his power comes from information he has,” Choi said. “Although all the characters are just trying to do a job, maintain their humanity and do the right thing, even those everyday tasks become increasingly mired in this comedy of morals, which mines the gray area between right and wrong.”

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

Members of the cast for the KU production are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and role.

BARTON COUNTY
From Hoisington 67544
Jacquelyn Koester, senior, theatre and Spanish, daughter of Richard and Pamela Koester, Hoisington High School, Dawn.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66047
Matthew Windheuser, junior, history, public administration and emergency management, son of Michael and Heather Windheuser, Lawrence High School, Bill.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67501
Taylor Geiman, sophomore, theatre, son of Lonny Geiman and Audry Geiman, Hutchinson High School, William.

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401
James Benjamin Wearing, junior, theatre and English, son of Ben and Betsy Wearing, Salina South High School, Jeff.