by Lorie Lewis Ham
Fresno State Theatre Professor Kathleen McKinley is retiring, and her last show to direct at Fresno State, At The Wedding, opens this weekend. KRL took a moment to chat with Professor McKinley about the show and her time at Fresno State.
KRL: What is this show about?
Kathleen: This funny and touching comedy is a fresh take on the ex who crashes a wedding hoping to steal away the bride! Carlo, a bit of a snark machine, is still in love with her ex-girlfriend who is marrying a man! Carlo lurks in the outskirts of the reception, accosting other guests, and generally behaving badly!
KRL: Why was this particular show chosen?
Kathleen: This play premiered at Lincoln Center in 2022 and has been featured in New York Times articles about a comedy and the New Gay Theatre! The young playwright, Bryna Turner, is originally from Fort Bragg California, where the wedding is set!
KRL: Why do you feel this is an important show?
Kathleen: Everyone has experienced or will experience a broken heart! The play deals with complicated emotions through comedy!
KRL: What was the hardest part about directing this show?
Kathleen: My daughter married just a few years ago, so directing this show felt a little like reliving my role as “Mother of the Bride!”
KRL: What has been the most fun?
Kathleen: My cast ranges from a new Theatre Major, German Gutierez, making his University Theatre debut to Tracy Hostmyer, a veteran actor I directed in her first show at Fresno State back in 1985!
KRL: How long have you been at Fresno State and what has been the most exciting part through the years?
Kathleen: I joined the Fresno State Theatre faculty in 1983! I have directed all genres from Shakespeare to original plays! At The Wedding represents the exciting opportunity I have had to give voice to new plays and writers!
Performances for At The Wedding are at 7:30 p.m. October 27 – 28 and October 31 – November 4, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 29 at the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre on campus. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military and $10 for all students, children under 5 are not permitted.
Fresno State no longer requires masks to be worn indoors, but based on updated guidance from public health experts, the University highly recommends that all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, wear a surgical grade or KN95 mask indoors. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain.
Latecomers will not be permitted, and there are no refunds or exchanges. The box office is open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance, and it accepts cash, check, or credit card payments. Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday night. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday night, parking permits are required and can be purchased at dispensers in parking lots on campus.
Tickets are available for purchase via our website or at the University Theatre Box Office, located in the Speech Arts Building, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Check out more local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. And don’t miss out on Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast where we feature mystery stories read by local actors!
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