McDonald and Staffa Participate in ECSU's Biloxi Blues

The Theatre Program at Eastern Connecticut State University presented the Neil Simon autobiography, "Biloxi Blues," in Harry Hope Theatre in Shafer Hall. The play was performed Oct. 18 to 24 with admission opened to Eastern students, faculty and staff, as well as the general public.

Two Northford students took part in the play. Michael McDonald, Class of 2015, is a pre-secondary education major. Joseph Staffa, Class of 2014, is a theater major.

Written by Simon as the second in his autobiographical trilogy and directed by Eastern Theatre Professor Ellen Faith Brodie, "Biloxi Blues" is set during World War II, but presents young people in challenging situations similar to those experienced in today's world - bigotry, sexual identity and one's readiness for combat in war and everyday life. Brodie said what excited her about directing this play was Simon's "amazing ability to use comedy while presenting the most poignant and painful possibilities of human nature." She said that the play also reminded her that "we also have the ability to transcend and forgive ourselves and others, and importantly, learn from the past to make a better future."

Participants including faculty, staff, and students were members of cast and creative teams and performed tasks ranging from set construction and poster designs to acting and costume designing.

Eastern Connecticut State University is the state's public liberal arts university. Eastern serves approximately 5,400 students each year on its Willimantic campus and satellite locations. 

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