SXU Drama Presents "Yesterday's Man of Tomorrow"
Saint Xavier University (SXU) Drama will present "Yesterday's Man of Tomorrow" as their fall production. The show will run Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in McGuire Hall. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for staff, faculty, and community members; SXU students get in free.
While SXU Drama typically dabbles in medieval or fantasy stories, "Yesterday's Man of Tomorrow" ventures into a new genre: science fiction.
"'Yesterday's Man of Tomorrow' was an original idea that I've wanted to pull off for a long time. Usually, the club does a lot of medieval/fantasy stories, which this play still has elements of, but I also wanted to push us into a new genre: science fiction. It also has Western elements, but it all unfolds like a tragedy. I was inspired by literature foremost, William Gibson's "Neuromancer," in particular, but then also films like 'The Matrix,' 'Kill Bill,' and 'I Love Boosters,'" said John Street, English literature major and president of SXU Drama.
The plot focuses on the power of trusting one's intuition and working toward goals that serve them rather than working to serve others.
"In writing this script, I was more careful than usual to consider who I wanted this story to be for, to mold a better narrative that spent a lot of time in flux. A lot of the characters are at different stages of actualization. As they find themselves the genesis of true freedom, I want the audience to realize the power they have physically, emotionally, mentally, politically, and personally to carve the world they want to live in. Surrendering control to others is defeat; we all must have an active role in the future because we are all the people of tomorrow," Street said.
The cast and crew, made up entirely of SXU students, have put in a lot of work to bring this show together. Rehearsing twice a week, many students wear different hats, like acting, set creation, and costume design. SXU Drama isn't just about acting; it's about coming together and building every aspect of a theatre production.
"Anyone who comes to the show should expect high emotion, exciting fights, and plenty of drama. The show has a lot of twists and turns throughout. It's a real ride, and I'm not just saying that because I wrote it. From day one, our actors have jumped off the page, heightening what I feel is already a thrilling and emotional play. They're really marvelous, and it'd be a mistake to miss out on them," Street said.