Slaughter of the Innocents
By William Saroyan
Directed by Edward EmanuEl
West Coast Premiere - A WILLIAM SAROYAN CENTENNIAL Event
Saroyan pulls no punches in describing how devastatingly fragile democracy and freedom really are. This is unmistakably Saroyan, with his sentimental yet probing concern for people as human beings; it is Saroyan at his most intelligent and most meaningful. The story is that of a bartender (James Taylor) whose saloon has been confiscated to be used for public trials by the new police state. Juries have been dispensed with; the victims are marched in on an assembly line, accused, sentenced, then marched out through the back door to be shot while the populace cheers in wild enthusiasm. When a small boy (Atticus Martin) is run through in this fashion, the bartender rebels, throwing a large monkey wrench into the smoothly running mechanism. Then comes the directive: the six officials are to change places with the next six victims. Thus it is that the people come to a realization of the meaning of justice in a democracy.
John Wright Theatre
October 3-5 & 7-11, 2008
All Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. except on Sunday when it begins at 2:00 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
General Admission -$17
Students (Under 5 not admitted)-$15
*ID Required
Box Office Hours
Monday – Friday - Noon to 5 p.m.
Phone - 278-2216
Fax 278-7215
Web Site - http://www.csufresno.edu/Theatre
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