El Camino College Theater Department to Present “Book of Days”

The El Camino College Theater Department will present “Book of Days,” a play in two acts by Lanford Wilson. The play is directed by Matthew Singletary; performances are set for 8 p.m. May 12, 13, 19, and 20, and 3 p.m. May 14 and 21 in the Campus Theatre.

Originally commissioned by Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre Company, “Book of Days” is Wilson’s intriguing examination of the darker side of middle America. When murder roars through a small Missouri town, Ruth Hoch begins her own quest to find truth and honesty amid small-town jealousies, religion, greed and lies. Winner of the American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award in 1998, “Book of Days” is the penultimate work of one of America’s most significant contemporary playwrights.

Wilson was a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who helped to advance the Off-Off-Broadway theater movement; he also became one of the first playwrights to transition from Off-Off-Broadway to Off-Broadway, then to Broadway and beyond. He realized his first widespread success with the 1964 play, “The Madness of Lady Bright.” This led to the creation of new works throughout the 1960s. Wilson continued to write successful plays throughout his career, receiving Tony Award nominations and winning the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play “Talley’s Folly,” among other awards and achievements.

The El Camino Community College District encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Center for the Arts as soon as possible, but no later than seven days prior to the event.

Tickets are $10-$15 and may be purchased at www.centerforthearts.org using the online ticketing system. Campus parking is free for this production; no permit required. El Camino College is located at 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance.