Rocks Break Through to Art

When Diva Theatre lost its home on Adams Avenue a couple of years ago, K. K. Gordon felt that he had lost his home, too. His plays had been featured at Diva several times over the years, and losing the opportunity to see his work produced left a void. While he worked as a surface miner, breaking rocks, he dreamt of returning to theatre. After work he would go home and write. One of the projects that flowed from those hard days at the rock pile was Wicked West. And now, Diva Theatre, which is still homeless but still kicking, is giving K. K.’s play its debut at Performance Space at the Hotel Jermyn, 326 Spruce Street, second floor, in downtown Scranton, May 17 through May 20.

“Oral tradition is a huge influence in all of my work,” K. K. reflects. “Every major holiday the Gordon clan returns to Grandma Gordon’s house and Uncle Morice holds court and spins yarns about the neighborhood. Over the years the lady next door has become a witch, her husband a giant, and their sun-drenched daughter, a movie star no one has ever heard of.” And from that kernal of family lore, K. K. drew his characters for Wicked West. They collide with robust linguistic parries to create an offbeat scenario of surprises and unexpected humor.

This debut production is directed by the founder and sustainer of Diva Theatre, Paige Balitski, and features Scranton area actors Angela Millard, Christine Skiro, Eric Lutz, Joe Palumbo, and Jeff Anderson, with lighting by Bob Balitski. The production was made possible by generous support by a Scranton Area Foundation and Pennsylvania Partners for on the Arts Grant, and a Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Grant, a program of the Lackawanna Country Commissioners and the Lackawanna County Council on the Arts.

Wicked West begins performances May 17 at 7 p.m., and plays Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m., Performance Space at the Hotel Jermyn, 326 Spruce Street, second floor, Downtown Scranton. Tickets are available at the door during the two hours before curtain, by calling 570-558-1515 or online at www.psathj.info