Wilbury adds new performances of 'The Race'

Back by popular demand, The Wilbury Theatre Group has added performances of “The Race” by Mark Binder, directed by Brien Lang, from March 13-28.

This challenging new play, done on Zoom – an emerging new performance medium – examines the common, and sometimes uncommon, obstacles of a high-pressure corporate interview dance in the Zoom era.

The Cranston Herald describes “The Race” as “masterful innovative theatre. Director Brien Lang has taken Mark Binder’s clever, interactive play, recruited Rhode Island’s best actors and involved his audience in a thought-provoking evening of theater.”

ArtsFuse says: “[‘The Race’] is a very effective political drama … spellbinding. Like Orwell’s ‘1984,’ ‘The Race’ is a wake-up call, demanding that we dissent against the dehumanizing directions business is taking.”

“The Race” had two workshop performances with Wilbury Theater Group in November of 2020. Edge Media said of the workshop performances: “The Race is an uncomfortable, cautionary tale … thematically it touches upon life during the pandemic when in-person interviews are off the table. ‘The Race’ is not only a cautionary tale [it] hints at a possible future … It’s worth a look, especially when we’re all hanging out at home for the most part.”

Two job-seekers from vastly different backgrounds vie for the same position in a large, faceless corporation. Each reveals uncomfortable truths from their past while dodging landmines from their competition, and dealing with an increasingly demanding disembodied interviewer. The audience also plays an integral part as they can communicate in a live chat, as the interview happens onscreen, and ultimately decide who is the best man for the job.

The Race features original music by Nikita Zabinski, stage management by Allison Marchetti, and performances by Rodney Eric López, Jennifer Mischley and Jim O’Brien.

Performances for “The Race” are done live and held entirely via Zoom. Patrons will receive a Zoom link to access performances after purchasing tickets prior to the performance. A Zoom account is not required. For tickets and more information, please visit www.thewilburygroup.org/the-race.