A dark comedy of two Minnesota hitmen and the women who hire them to kill their boyfriends is coming to the Performing Arts Center’s Arena Stage Oct. 18-23.
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A cast of four students is presenting “The Norwegians,” by C. Denby Swanson.
The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 on the Performing Arts Center’s Arena Stage. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-22 and 2 p.m. Oct. 23.
Parking is $3 in the 4th Avenue Parking Ramp or free with a St. Cloud State parking permit.
The play follows Olive, a Texas transplant to Minnesota, and Betty, a Kentucky native, who are jilted by their boyfriends and hire Minnesota Norwegian hitmen Gus and Tor to deliver their vengeance. Gus and Tor work through their own hang ups while marketing themselves as “nice” hitmen.
Through dialogue and fantasy, the play pokes fun at the Minnesota stereotypes Minnesotans love to hate. If you’re from Minnesota you’re going to get all these references, said Director Brenda Wentworth.
“C. Denby Swanson’s observations about native Minnesotans’ behaviors reminded me of those books on ‘How to Talk Minnesotan’ or ‘How to Speak Texan’,” she said. “They parody the kinds of things those born in the state are secretly proud of.”
Uff da’s, hot dish, lutefisk, the weather and Minnesota nice all make their appearance as the women and their hitmen get caught up in a web of love and loss.
Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for non-St. Cloud State students and free with a St. Cloud State ID. Tickets are available at SCSUtickets.com. “The Norwegians” uses profanity, but does not show any violence on stage.
The cast
Olive: Amber Samson
Gus: Jacob da Silveira
Betty: Jaylin Evert
Tor: Nick Poulos
