Playwright’s ‘Abundant Life’ to premiere in Dublin
Original Productions Theatre (OPT) is dedicated to giving life to new works.
After producing 10 new works in six years, the semi-professional company will present the world premiere of “Abundant Life,” opening March 3 at the Abbey Theater of Dublin.
“We want to give voice to artists who might have less opportunity than more-established writers, especially local writers,” said Alyssa Ryan, OPT executive director.
The 90-minute one-act, by Columbus playwright Cory Skurdal, revolves around an agnostic baby boomer and a millennial Christian who meet by chance on a park bench and develop an unexpected friendship over a year or so.
“I was drawn to these two very different individuals, Bruce and Alex, coming together, being able to have positive interactions and learning from one another,” Ryan said.
“Especially now, because there’s so much divisiveness in our society, it’s important for people to keep an open mind and have conversations with each other,” she said.
Skurdal borrowed the play’s title from the Bible, specifically John 10:10.
“Christ said: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” Skurdal said.
How does the director rate the playwright?
Director Joe Bishara, who also runs the Abbey Theater, praised Skurdal as one of Columbus’ best playwrights.
“He does a brilliant job encapsulating the world we live in,” said Bishara, who has directed three Skurdal plays, including OPT’S 2022 regional premiere of his murder mystery “Catspaw.”
A North Dakota native who moved to Columbus in 1989, Skurdal has written 25 plays, including nine full-length works, and won the Catco/greater Columbus Arts Council fellowship in 2014 for “Sticks and Stones,” co-produced in 2016 by CATCO and Evolution Theatre Company.
“Cory has a great way with dialogue. His plays make us think and feel,” Bishara said.
“’Abundant Life’ shows the world that’s on fire today and says cancel culture is a scary thing, but we should take a breath before making that part of our lives,” he said.