BIG BROADWAY ENERGY: As We Like It The LAB Theater Project

Season 2 Episode 2313 · Sep 16, 05:30 PM

This week, Stephen Riordan sits down with Owen Robertson, who runs the LAB Theatre Project, to talk about their newest production, As We Like It.

Featured Production: As We Like It

Playwright: Oded Gross
Premise: The play follows a Jewish family in 1942 Poland hiding in the woods from the Nazis. To maintain their mental health, they rehearse Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
Inspiration: The story was written in response to the October 7th attack in Israel, exploring the human tendency to "hide in story" as an insulation from harsh realities.
Dates: The production runs at the Lab Theatre Project from September 17th through October 7th.

Core Themes Discussed

The Power of Storytelling: The conversation examined the necessity of theater as a tool for both psychological reset and societal reflection, noting that stories can be a refuge, though one must remain grounded in truth.
Critique of Modern Media: The host and guest discussed the detrimental effects of 24/7 news cycles, arguing that media has shifted toward shock and divisiveness rather than information exchange.
The Role of Theater: They concluded that theater serves as an essential "mirror" to society. Even when the reflection is uncomfortable, the arts are necessary for social awareness and function, despite the U.S. cultural tendency to view theater primarily as entertainment rather than social commentary.

Tickets and information: LAB Theater
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