Suicide satire ‘Dying for It’ at UIC Theatre

“Dying for It” cast members (L-R) Bethany Arrington, Taylor Murphy, Tanous El-Kareh, Chelsea Foss-Ralston. Photo: Michael Brosilow.

The UIC Theatre debuts its second play of the season Friday.

“Dying for It,” by Moira Buffini, is directed by Timothy Douglas, adjunct lecturer in theatre.

The play is based on “The Suicide,” a Russian satire that Josef Stalin banned before its first performance, exiling its author, Nicolai Erdman, to Siberia.

The play follows the life of Semyon, unemployed and broke, who is supported by his wife and living in a hallway because his mother-in-law has taken over the bedroom. Unable to find a job and shorn of all self-respect, he announces his plan to take his own life.

Word about his impending suicide gets out and he finds himself inundated with sympathetic visitors. Their attention boosts Semyon’s self-esteem so much that he reconsiders his suicide. But he’s already set a date and his supporters are planning a big sendoff.

Catch the play at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9-10 and 15-17; 2 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18; and noon Nov. 14 at the UIC Theatre in the Education, Performing Arts and Social Work building, 1040 W. Harrison St.

Tickets for all shows are $11 for UIC students, $14 UIC faculty and staff and $16 general public.

For more information, call the UIC Theatre box office, 312-996-2939.