The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Set for March 24 at UAlbany's PAC

The performance is based on Junot Diaz's Pulitzer Prize-winning book.

The University at Albany Performing Arts Center, the College of Arts and Sciences and the New York State Writers Institute are partnering to present American Place Theatre in a performance of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The show is directed by Elise Thoron, the company's Associate Artistic Director, and performed by Elvis Nolasco.  The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a pre-performance discussion led by a member of American Place Theatre and will conclude with a post-performance discussion immediately following the show.

The production of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a one-person theatrical adaptation of Junot Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize winning epic story of an overweight Dominican boy growing up in New Jersey who is obsessed with science fiction, fantasy novels, comic books and role-playing games but also the curse of the "fukú" that has plagued his family for generations.

The history of The American Place Theatre is rich and varied with a consistent commitment to nurturing the talents of American authors, playwrights and actors. Based in New York City, it is dedicated to producing high quality new work by diverse American writers and to pursuing pluralism and diversity in all its endeavors. Its Literature to Life series offers professionally staged theatrical adaptations of significant American literary works.  Actors for whom American Place has been a launching pad include Mary Alice, Ellen Barkin, Roscoe Lee Browne, Kathleen Chalfont, Michael Douglas, Faye Dunaway, Sandy Duncan, Morgan Freeman, Richard Gere, Joel Grey, Dustin Hoffman, Frank Langella, Mary MacDonnell, Zakes Mokae, Howard Rollins, John Spencer, Ralph Waite, Sam Waterson and Sigourney Weaver.

Tickets for the performance are $15 for the general public, $12 for seniors and UAlbany faculty-staff and $10 for students.  For reservations and further information, contact the Box Office at (518) 442-3997.