Hickory – The hottest new play in the country, I and You, by Lauren Gunderson, begins performances this Friday, January 11 in the Firemen’s Kitchen at the Hickory Community Theatre. 

I and You is a witty and uplifting portrayal of friendship, youth and living life to the fullest, and won the coveted American Theatre Critics Association’s New Play Award.

Housebound because of illness, Caroline hasn’t been to school in months. Confined to her room, she has only Facebook for company. That is until classmate Anthony bursts in – uninvited and armed with waffle fries, a scruffy copy of Walt Whitman’s poetry and a school project due the next day … Caroline is unimpressed all around.

Over the course of the play an unlikely friendship develops and a seemingly mundane piece of homework starts to reveal the pair’s hopes and dreams – as well as a deep and mysterious bond that connects them even further.

Gunderson was, after Shakespeare, the most produced playwright in America last year and I and You was the most produced play. Author of over 20 plays, she has also received the Lanford Wilson Award at the Dramatists Guild Awards and two Steinberg/ATCA New Play Awards.

This production carries a strong PG-13 rating due to instances of strong, adult language.

Performances of I and You are January 11-27, 2019, Fridays and Saturdays (Jan 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26) at 8:00pm, Thursdays (Jan 17 and 24) at 7:30pm and Sundays (Jan 20 and 27) at 2:30pm. Tickets for Thursday night performances are $14 for adults and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets for Fridays through Sundays are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors (60 and over), and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Call the box office at 828-328-2283 or visit hickorytheatre.org to purchase tickets or get more information.

HCT is a Funded Affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. The Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive and A Cleaner World. I and You is produced by Dr. George Clay, III, DDS and Robert Abbey, Inc. 

PHOTO: Cassidy Pruitt as Caroline and Marcus Phillips as Anthony in Lauren Gunderson’s new play I and You. Performances are January 11-27, 2019 in the Firemen’s Kitchen at the Hickory Community Theatre. Photo by Ken Burns.