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Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble presents ‘Marjorie Prime’

PHOTOS PROVIDED The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s production of “Marjorie Prime” has 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, now through May 20 at the Alvina Theater, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg.

“https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com/www.sungazette.com/images/2018/05/09160404/10mp2-749×500.jpg” alt=”” width=”749″ height=”500″ class=”alignnone size-medium wp-image-755281″ />BLOOMSBURG — One thing is certain. “Marjorie Prime” is well past her prime.

The 85 year old is living, or at least existing, in an apartment in a West Coast care facility, sometimes remembering just how much her memory continues to fade.

The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s production of “Marjorie Prime” has 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays, now through May 20 at the Alvina Krause Theater, 226 Center St.

This sci-fi tale, penned by Jordan Harrison, was a finalist for the 2015 Pulitzer Prize.

“Marjorie Prime” reminds me in several aspects of “The Nether” which BTE presented last season. “The Nether” featured Daniel Roth in the lead role, and Roth is directing “Marjorie Prime.” Both shows also have the audience not seated in the theater, but on the stage, which adds an obviously desirable sense of immediacy and intimacy.

But “Marjorie Prime” also is drastically different, in that there are no 3D projections or other technology to create Marjorie’s deceased husband to appear.

Set approximately 40 years in the future, “Marjorie Prime” is visited by the holographic Walter, as he appeared over 30 years earlier. He talks freely, helping the dying Marjorie to remember things that she cherishes, but also helping her forget events that she doesn’t want to remember.

With stellar acting, the Philadelphia-based actress and playwright guest artist Marjorie Bicknell heads the cast as the vulnerable Marjorie. The other three actors are ensemble members: Eric Wunsch as the immaculately attired robot-like Walter, Laurie McCants as Marjorie’s prickly daughter Tess, and Andrew Hubatsek as her caring, concerned son-in-law Jon.

Played in less than 90 minutes with no intermission, “Marjorie Prime” raises thorny questions on morality, artificial intelligence and what it means to be human.

Although not traditional theater fare, “Marjorie Prime” deserves to be “visited.”

Even in the final moments, there are a few more secrets revealed which have no easy answers, but make “Marjorie Prime” thought-provoking entertainment.

For more information, call the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s box office at 570-784-8181 or email boxoffice@bt.org.

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