This season, Alleyway Theatre produced a powerful series of new and original works and proved they are unafraid to take bold steps while maintaining the ultimate audience experience. Examples of this can be seen in the reveal of their new mural and upgraded lobby bar, as well as the marrying of local and out-of-town design talent in their productions.
Their upcoming production of The Oregon Trail, which runs May 12 – May 28, is a perfect reflection of Alleyway’s determination and pioneer spirit.
The Oregon Trail is described as “a play set in 1996 where Jane is trapped in her middle school computer lab playing “The Oregon Trail.” Suddenly the game comes to life and whisks us back to 1848 to travel covered-wagon style with Jane’s great-great-grandmother. Jane forms a bond with her ancestors while navigating the complexities of modern life.
“It’s about perseverance. It’s about dealing with our emotions. It’s about dealing with human connection, and how we often live in solitude,” said Chris J Handley, Executive Artistic Director of the Alleyway Theater, “I think for many of us over the last two years, those are things that we have all, at one time or another, gone through.”
Alleyway also welcomes scenic designer Tim McMath and lighting designer Paul Hudson from New York City to create the world of the play which jumps back and forth and forward through time.
“I think that artists from out of town should come to Buffalo and work in Buffalo and share their ideas. And show us some bold new thing that is happening Off-Broadway, you know, we found this cool way to up a corner of the stage. Let’s bring that idea here to Buffalo.” Handley stated.
“On the other hand,” He adds, “we need to share what we are doing in Buffalo with the country and put the Buffalo theater scene in the national spotlight and share the incredible stuff that’s happening here.”
McMath and Hudson have both worked extensively in NYC, including on Broadway and off-Broadway. They will collaborate with Western New York designers Kari Drozd (costumes) and Nicholas Quinn (sound).
Production for The Oregon Trail was well underway in 2020. The design team was busy laying out plans when news of the pandemic spread and halted productions across the globe.
“Just before the pandemic, we had a different concept for the show, and we thought it was all going to take place in an enclosed room.” said McMath, “And then the pandemic happened, and the production planning was paused, and in that time, it became more important to support the way the show flows as opposed to containing the show. Seeing gestures became a lot more important so we installed semi-transparent curtains. So, you see these memories and these flashbacks through a gauzy lens that can reveal things and make them disappear.”
The Oregon Trail is a comedy written by Bekah Brunstetter, staff writer for the hit NBC show, This Is Us. It is directed by Chris J Handley and stars Renee Landrigan, Sue McCormack, Elise Vullo, Ben Caldwell, Nick Lama, and John Profeta. The Oregon Trail examines “the truth of the human spirit, the will to go on, and the need for deodorant, all the time.”
“I hope that people experience the sense that they are not alone.” said Landrigan, “that’s something that theater does very well – to capture this slice of life. We want people to feel uplifted. It is also a very funny show.” Adding, “It’s been exciting to talk about this show, and immediately everyone goes. Does someone get dysentery? Are you forging the river? I’m not going to ruin anything for you, but, yes, all those things will pop up.”
The Oregon Trail runs May 12 – May 28, 2022, at The Alleyway Theater, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo, NY 14202 | 716-852-2600. Tickets are available at alleyway.com. The lobby and bar open one hour prior to curtain, with happy hour at the bar following each performance.
Produced by Jessica Marinelli and Daniel Lendzian
Photography by Vincent Berbano
Edited by Vincent Berbano and Addison Schoonmaker