by Anthony Neilson
Directed by Colin Hovde and Nathaniel Mendez
Jun 4 - 28, 2014
Lisa Jones has been feeling a bit off. One hour off, in fact; the hour she lost when her flight to London crossed the Greenwich meridian at the exact moment daylight savings time ended. To retrieve her wandering hour, Lisa must take a journey…to Dissocia, where cars fly, bears sing, and the Black Dog King reigns. This wildly inventive, fearlessly smart, and relentlessly surprising play by the author of last year’s The Night Before Christmas will take you places you never expected and will never forget.
Cast
Lisa Karina Hilleard
Victor Hesse, Argument, Nurse 3 Elliott Bales
Guard 1, Inhibitions, Vince Carlos Saldaña
Guard 2, Laughter, Dr. Faraday Luke Ceislewicz
Oathtaker, Ticket, Dr. Clark David Gamble
Britney, Nurse 1 Carolyn Kashner
Goat, Biffer, Nurse 2 Adi Stein
Jane, Dot Lisa Hodsoll
Violinist, Oathtaker Attendant, Polar Bear Ben Chang
Passenger 2, Oathtaker Attendant, Nurse KyoSin Kang
Production Team
Director Colin Hovde
Director Nathaniel Mendez
Stage Manager Tré Wheeler
Set and Costume Designer Collin Ranney
Lighting Designer John Burkland
Co-Sound Designer Christopher Baine
Co-Sound Designer | Original Music Matthew M. Nielson
Production Manager Damion Parran
Assistant Stage Manager Rachel Lau
Scenic Artist Kelley Rowan
Lighting Assistant Will Wermerskirchen
Press
What They Say
“All these elements, the music, the sound, the strong lights, the energetic actors, the smells, the laughter, all these things left me in a state of narcohypnia after the first act was finished. The lights outside didn’t seem as bright as before. Sounds were far away. I kept wanting to go back to Dissocia, to get more story, to find new people as Lisa discovered them. I was lost in my own dissocia for the 15 minutes of intermission.”
“The real stars of The Wonderful World of Dissocia are its talented cast of supporting actors. They often surprise the audience, and Lisa, with outlandish song and dance, all the while doing double and triple duty in a play that asks and displays every bit of talent on offer.”
““Dissocia” piles quirk upon quirk, and disturbing detail upon disturbing detail, until the fever-dream storyline becomes just a touch exasperating. And then, with a sudden plot twist it would be a shame to reveal, the weirdness pays off and the play gains a new layer of emotion and meaning.”
“The Wonderful World of Dissocia is filled with wonderful performances, lots of heart, and stunning design, and is a journey you should not miss.”
“Directors Colin Hovde and Nathaniel Mendez and the superb company of actors deftly blend humor and horror to produce an awesome piece that leaves everything on the stage—challenging the audience to confront the worst of human tendencies and maladies with tenderness.”
The Wonderful World of Dissocia Outreach
Talk-Backs
The following performances of The Wonderful World of Dissocia will be followed by a talk-back with a guest who works in the field of or is personally affected by Dissociative Identity Disorder. At these discussions, the actors and audience can share their reactions and engage in conversation about the themes and issues raised by the play.
June 14, 8pm: Dr. Richard Chefetz, Psychiatrist
June 21, 2pm: Rachel Elise and Tracy Howard of the Sidran Institute for Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy
June 22, 2pm: DC Actor Annie Houston
2015 Helen Hayes Awards
Winner
- Outstanding Play
- Director of a Play
- Lighting Design
- Sound Design
Nominee
- Ensemble in a Play
- Costume Design
- Set Design
- Lead Actress in a Play – Karina Hilleard
- Supporting Actress in a Play – Lisa Hodsoll