The theater department at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) performed the riveting show Gravity for audiences on Nov. 1, 2 and 3 in the Little Theater.
Gravity is an original production written and directed by Corey Ranson, the theater director at TAMUK.
“The questions this play explores are the ones that always plague us. ‘Why? Why do things happen to good people? What do those people do to deserve it? And what can we do to prevent that?’ But also importantly what can we learn from things like this and how can it help reveal things for us in our own lives,” the director’s note in the show’s program said.
The play follows Zoe Collins, played by Lexi LaCour, through her journey to coping with the death of her beloved boyfriend Brian, played by Robin Machuca. The show begins with Zoe staring and sobbing into a sinkhole a sinkhole which opened beneath her boyfriend as they were having a romantic meal by the ocean.
Rescuers were unable to recover Brian, and Zoe is left wondering why this had to happen. Zoe ends up connecting with Moonlight, played by Laurie Guajardo, the owner of the land where the sinkhole opened, and her family. She then is met with an unexpected familiar face.
The show is filled with twists and turns that had audiences captivated throughout the show.
Brenda Melendy is a frequenter of TAMUK theater productions. She always enjoys the plays written by Ranson and found Gravity to be thought provoking and enjoyed how Ranson tied in horrific real-life events to the story.
“It was really kind of interesting to think about why do bad things happen to good people…it was just kind of cool,” audience member Melendy said.
Gravity is also a participating entry for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The cast, crew and the production’s set will be heading to Carthage, Texas, to perform Gravity for judges on Nov. 8 at Panola College.
The TAMUK theater department will be competing against other schools that make up region six; those schools will come from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.
While performing in front of judges can be nerve wracking, the cast and crew of Gravity is looking forward to showing the original production at KCACTF.
Cast member Jackson Lewis is looking forward to “just being surrounded by likeminded people. People who love theater and are really passionate about it,” Lewis said.