Communicado presents:
The Birthday Lottery
A new play about the Vietnam Draft
by Richard Fouts
Directed by Suze Allen
March 29 - April 1, 2018 on Z Space's Main Stage
On December 1, 1969, five fraternity brothers gather together to listen to the U.S. Army's draft lottery, which uses birth dates to determine the order in which they will be called to serve in Vietnam. Broadcast on national television and radio, the brothers anxiously listen as dates are drawn, one-by-one, over an excruciating 90-minute period. When the last date is drawn, the brothers react to the realization that their lives have been changed forever. They also begin to turn on each other.
"THE BIRTHDAY LOTTERY speaks to a time when the government used an unbearable process to make horrific demands on its constituents. With nail biting suspense, the characters suffer through the torment of a bureaucratic nightmare.
For anyone who wrings his hands at the plight of our nation today or has a fascination in where we have come from, this play is a must. It is also full of humanity, humor and love."
—John Fisher, Playwright, actor, director, and Artistic Director of Theatre Rhinoceros
“An insightful look into a day in American history that should not be forgotten.”
—Andrew Harris, director and previous chair of theatre departments at Columbia University, Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University.
“The Birthday Lottery really flows, dramatically and verbally. I couldn’t stop reading it once I started, which is the real test.”
—Martin Kihn, Author and Creator, House of Lies
“A wonderful story that weaves so much history into a tapestry for our humanity.”
—Clay David, Winner of Theatre Bay Area Award for Excellence in Theatre, Dean Goodman Best Director in San Francisco, Lee Hartgrave’s FAME Best Play Award, and The VictorBorge Award
How to Self-Produce
A comprehensive workshop, conducted in association with Theatre Bay Area’s (TBA) continuing education program for theatre professionals
Saturday, March 31 | 2-6pm at Z Space.
The workshop includes a free ticket to The Birthday Lottery, which follows at 8pm at Z Space.
You have work you're excited about. Now it’s time to get it to the stage.
Conducted by award-winning producer, Roland Tec, the workshop offers participants a comprehensive overview of how to self-produce your play. Your workshop reservation also includes a free ticket to The Birthday Lottery. All this for $140; a reduced price of $75 is offered to TBA members.
