Tree of Life stages 'Chatting With the Tea Party'

The Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Word Players readers' theater troupe presents the docudrama "Chatting with the Tea Party" by Rich Orloff at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the church, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry.

"Chatting With the Tea Party" is about one person's journey across America exploring the question, "Who are these people?"

It's a documentary-style play about a New York liberal playwright who decides to travel around the country interviewing leaders of local Tea Party groups to get to know people whose political beliefs are diametrically opposed to his.

For a year, playwright Rich Orloff attended Tea Party meetings and events in cities large and small in every region of the country.

The play shapes the highlights of more than 63 hours of interviews, plus notes from the events, to go beyond sound bites and stereotypes to show the people behind the politics.

A finalist for the Woodward/Newman New Play Award and the NuVoices New Play Prize, "Chatting With the Tea Party" has had readings at 15 theaters around the country and had its world premiere production in New York City in early 2016 at the Robert Moss Theater.

The Word Players production features a cast of four, with Daniel Pegarsch as the inquisitive playwright.

Ron Relic, Sue and George "Kaz" Kazlusky each portray an array of roles, including local Tea Party leaders, Orloff's skeptical and critical New York liberal friends, famous historical persons, and a sampling of Americans in a polarizing time. Also appearing as the Card Girl is Devi Madaus. The play is directed by Patrick Murfin.

Tickets are $10, available at the door. Proceeds benefit the Social Justice Ministry of the Tree of Life Congregation.

For information, call Tree of Life at (815) 322-2464, email office@treeoflifeuu.org, or visit treeoflifeuu.org.