Last Call to watch R.U.R. this weekend
Classic Theater Guild puts on production, R.U.R. Science-fiction play to end Sunday.
SCHENECTADY, NY- Attention, attention! To all theater goers looking for a way to escape the cold, snowy weather and enjoy the first few days of February at Congregation Beth Israel, now is your chance!
Classic Theater Guild (CTG) has been underway with their production of the apocalyptic science-fiction play, R.U.R. The play opened to spectators Thursday, Jan. 23, and will be ending its 11-day run Sunday, Feb. 2.
The second to last showing of R.U.R. was held Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee show will begin at 3 p.m.
About R.U.R.
R.U.R. is a play written by Karel Capek, a Czech writer, playwright, critic, and journalist. Capek wrote R.U.R., also known as Rossum’s Universal Robots, in 1920. Capek introduced readers to the word, robot, a Czech term meaning forced labor. The play made its world debut January 1921 at Hradec Kralove.
R.U.R. centers itself inside a factory, in which humans create artificial workers that are made from synthetic organic matter. Although some of these robots at the factory are willing to work alongside the humans in the creation of the artificial workers, the robots enter the factory and revolt against their human masters. Eventually, mankind becomes extinct.
The Classic Theater Guild’s modernized version of R.U.R. was adapted by director, Michael Silvia, with assistance from Jackie Amilivia, James Callaghan, and Kimberly Collins. R.U.R. features a cast of Capital Region community theater veterans and first-time actors, including Doug Gladstone (Alquist), Quinn Solace (Helena), Amelia McCarthy (Domin), Mike Collins (Marius, Radius), Rita Machin (Dr. Hallemeier), Alyssa Talanker (Dr. Gall, 4th Robot), Beverly Skoll (Nana, Sulla), James Callaghan (Busman), Rafe Epstein (Servant Robot), and Bill Wilday (Dr. Fabry, 3rd Robot).
R.U.R. and the Current Concern of A.I.
One of the main missions that Classic Theater Guild wanted to bring to this particular adaption of R.U.R. was to showcase the concerns about the rise and misuse of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the 21st century.
When Silvia re-read R.U.R., he found the play to be “prescient”, as he remarked in his director’s notes.
Silvia also noted that not only does R.U.R. reflect on today’s issues of the dangers of extreme capitalism, corporate greed, hubris, in addition to the concerns of the use of artificial intelligence.
The current use of A.I., Silvia said, “is more like “algorithm intelligence. Algorithms can analyze amounts of data in order to make predictions and generate images.”
What can viewers expect from R.U.R. and CTG
Silvia said that viewers can expect to see a tight, suspenseful two-hour play, in addition to an intermission.
Spectators who wish to check out R.U.R. can see it at Congregation Beth Israel Hall, located at 2195 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, NY 12309. Tickets for the show can still be purchased via Eventbrite: R.U.R. Presented by CTG Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite. More information on R.U.R. can also be found on Classic Theater Guild’s Facebook page.
Next for CTG will be their next production, Lend Me A Tenor. The play, written by Ken Ludwig, will be directed by Joe Bruton. The production will be held at Congregation Beth Isreal Hall starting on Feb. 27 and will run through March 9, 2025.
For more information about Classic Theater Guild and its productions, go to www.classictheaterguild.com.
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