After presenting the critically acclaimed The Magnolia Ballet and Burst earlier this year, Alleyway Theatre, the incubator for bold, visceral new theatre in Buffalo, is set to premiere The Aleph Complex by Deborah Yarchun. The Aleph Complex is the winner of the 2020 Maxim Mazumdar new play award.
This annual international competition was founded in 1989 by Alleyway Theatre in memory of Canadian actor/playwright Maxim Mazumdar, and celebrates plays with vibrant characters and distinct voices, which engage in authentic human connection while representing a uniquely theatrical experience. The Aleph Complex has all of the tenets of the Mazumdar award in its theatrical DNA.
When asked to describe her play, playwright Deborah Yarchun said, At its heart, it’s ultimately about the power and importance of human connection. And a larger broader stroke of it all would be a modern day folk tale or fairy tale woven from our times.”
The plot, based in magical realism, follows a young woman who can transform thoughts into sounds, her mother, who hasn’t left her home in five years, and the last Borders Bookstore employee on the planet. These three characters must connect in order to bring down the walls that encapsulate their lives.
This highly theatrical play is sure to provoke wonder, heartfelt connection, and meaningful conversation.
Director Robyn Lee Horn’s initial discussions about the play were with Buffalo based scenic designer, Lynne Koscielniak. “We started talking about wanting to have these containers…The set is really mind-blowing. It feels huge. There are giant bookshelves full of books and containers that fill the walls of the theater. They are really incredible.” She adds,
To those who might be skeptical of seeing a world premiere, Yarchun said, “if a theater decides to produce a play… it’s probably going to be awesome. Because it’s really hard to get a play produced. It takes so much heart to write a play. Theater is not an easy field to be in. For somebody to put a play onstage, it has to have so much value.”
Horn adds, “We need theaters in this country like the Alleyway that are going to go out and take a risk and bring these new plays to life. This is a place where we get to throw the doors open, and say ‘What stories do we want to tell right now, and why?’ I think we are so lucky to have the Alleyway in Buffalo.”
The Aleph Complex is onstage at Alleyway Theatre from February 10 through March 4, 2023.
PERFORMANCE & TICKET INFORMATION
Pay What You Can Previews: February 10, 11, 12, 14
Playwright Chats February 13 & 14 following the performance
Opening Night February 15
Industry Monday February 20
Afternoon Matinee February 25