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FEATURES
M O N I TO R OCTOBER 27, 2016
Final hook-up RONNIE LOZANO FEATURES EDITOR
The world will be ending in 12 hours, and you have a date with someone you met online. What do you do? The play Spending the End of the World on OkCupid will answer that question, when it has its world premere Friday, Nov. 4, in Ohlone’s NUMMI Theater. The play starts off with a prophet’s prediction that half of the world’s population will disappear. In the meantime, the
other half is warned they will only have until midnight to live. Given the options, they decide to spend their last hours on the dating app OKCupid. The play was written by Jeffrey Lo, working under a commission from Ohlone. Michael Navarra directed. “I was thrilled when Michael called me with the idea to write a play specifically for Ohlone College students,” Lo said. Anxiety, human connection and the importance of time are some of the themes explored by
Cast warms up for production of Spending the End of the World with OKCupid. Lo and Navarra. Lo said he was inspired by a couple of questions that stuck in
acting classes and workshops. “Hearing our actors read the earliest drafts of the play and adjusting to what I heard and what followed feedback the students had has helped me create a really fun play that audiences will enjoy,” Lo said. Students are excited about the play. “I think this is a modern romance,” said Catherine Tran. “Honestly, I’ve had friends who’ve used OKCupid and I like how they incorporated it in their story. I’m excited to see it.” The play will be presented in the NUMMI Theater at 8 p.m. Nov. 4, 5,10,12,17,18 and 19, Tickets are $10 and $12. Parking is $4. For tickets, call (510) 659-6031.
“What do I need to feel
satisfied with my life?” -- Jeffrey Lo
The world is ending, but there’s still time for OKCupid.
Ohlone College Advancement photos
his mind. “What do I need to feel satisfied with my life?” he wondered. And, “What if I only had a day to answer that question?” Navarra, a professional actor, director and producer, who also teaches at Ohlone, said, “The process of developing a play with a professional playwright has been a great opportunity for our students.” The play will feature actors who were developed in Ohlone