Pulitzer Prize-winning book coming to Humphrey stage

A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will come alive on the stage at Saint John’s University.

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, SJU as part of the 2017-18 Fine Arts Series.

The play is an adaptation of Junot Díaz’s poignant story. It is performed by Literature to Life, which presents vibrant adaptations of award-winning works of contemporary American literature, each performed by a single actor.

The performance chronicles the life of Oscar Wao (played by Kelvin Grullon), an overweight science-fiction enthusiast growing up in Paterson, New Jersey. He obsesses over science fiction and fantasy novels, dreaming of becoming the Dominican J.R.R. Tolkien. Oscar also falls in love with women who never reciprocate his feelings.

This presentation features the delicately brutal words of Díaz. He details the life-long alienation of a fantasy world-obsessed Oscar, and we come to understand the culture of fear and violence that resulted from Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship of the Dominican Republic from 1930-61.

Encapsulating magical realism and Dominican-American history, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” presents audiences with an astonishing vision of the contemporary American experience and explores the endless human capacity to persevere, and risk it all in the name of love.

A performance and workshop will be held Wednesday, Oct. 25, at McKinley Area Learning Center, Waite Park. Following the performance, a “Voices Worth Hearing” workshop will be held where the artist will talk about why Diaz’s voice was heard, and then encourage the students tell their own stories through a series of creative activities.

Literature to Life will also be working with CSB and SJU theater and first-year seminar honors students Oct. 26-27.

Tickets for the performance are $22 for adults, $19 for seniors, $15 for CSB/SJU faculty and staff, $15 for students and youth and $10 for CSB/SJU students. Members of area book clubs can receive a 25 percent discount off regular and senior priced tickets by mentioning the their book club when ordering tickets by phone only.

For tickets, call the Benedicta Arts Center Box Office at 320-363-5777 or order online. Please note this performance contains adult themes and language, and is best for children ages 14 and up.

Add depth to your experience and participate in a discussion with the Literature to Life actor the night before the performance. A discussion of Diaz’s book will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud. This event is free and open to the public.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Central MN Arts Board with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its general fund.