Life could always be worse, and if you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0like it, then you can\u00a0go and make\u00a0it better.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0the lesson at the heart of\u00a0“Somewhere in Between,” the first production in The University of Scranton Players’ 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n
“Somewhere in Between,” written by Craig\u00a0Pospisil and directed by Michael O\u2019Steen, MFA, associate professor of English, will play from Sept. 25 to 27 and Oct. 2 to 4, with six performances. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., while Sunday performances start at 2 p.m. All performances are on campus in the Royal Theater in the McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts.<\/p>\n
The play, a one-act comedy, tells the story of Jasper, a lonely television network representative who is trying to make sense of his life in New York City. Throughout the play\u2019s 10 scenes, Jasper learns to look at the world more optimistically through his interactions with other characters because, at the end of the day, it could always be worse for him.<\/p>\n
James Stensland \u02bc29, who plays Jasper in the upcoming production, said he found it easy to relate to his character.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned a lot about myself and\u00a0identifying\u00a0with my character in the rehearsal process,\u201d Stensland said.<\/p>\n
Professor O\u2019Steen described Jasper as being \u201cstuck where he\u00a0doesn’t\u00a0want to be stuck \u2026 he discovers some people along the way that may be in a worse place than he is. Some things line up well for him,\u00a0in spite of\u00a0his inability to make things happen for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor O\u2019Steen further explained that he hopes this will cause the audience to understand and be sympathetic to Jasper.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they’ll empathize with the main character,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Stensland emphasized the comedic nature of the play, describing it as \u201ca funny play, but it’s also a very real play,\u201d which works because, as he put it, \u201cthere is truth in both.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor O\u2019Steen concurred, explaining that he chose the play for its light comedy, saying he hoped it would be a big draw for audiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they’ll find some of the sexuality witty and some of the physical comedy engaging,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He has further found the rehearsal process to be fun and engaging, saying that the cast, while small, is \u201cfriendly, supportive and communicative.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company of “Somewhere in Between” features\u00a0Aaron Blasi\u00a0\u02bc29,\u00a0of Tunkhannock;\u00a0Alexander Smulowitz\u00a0\u02bc29,\u00a0of Shavertown;\u00a0Arion Solomon \u02bc25,\u00a0of\u00a0Union City, New Jersey;\u00a0Brooke Duggan\u00a0\u02bc29,\u00a0of Newfoundland;\u00a0Gracie Gregorowicz\u00a0\u02bc29,\u00a0of Jessup; Marcus Smith\u00a0\u02bc27,\u00a0of Schuylkill Haven;\u00a0Shane Reznick \u02bc27,\u00a0of Allentown; and\u00a0Stensland, of Huntington, New York.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for senior citizens, students and University of Scranton faculty and staff. Tickets are free for first-year students during the first weekend of performances. The box office opens 30 minutes before performances and accepts cash,\u00a0checks\u00a0or Royal Card only.<\/p>\n
For more information, contact the University Players box office at 570-941-4318 or visit the Players on\u00a0Facebook <\/a>and\u00a0<\/a>Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n The University of Scranton Players are committed to bringing exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players\u2019 productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists.<\/p>\n