The Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Bacholerette” by Leslye Headland as an Institute for Exploration of Theatre, Dance and Performance (ITDP) production. The comedy, which explores the darker side of female friendships, is directed by undergraduate student Sarah Assaad.

The work will be performed March 8 at 7 p.m. and March 9 at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Lab A Theatre in Wright Hall. 

A group of toxic high school friends reconnect the night before a wedding in New York City. Despite being overweight, Becky is the first to get married, and her maid of honor, Regan, doesn’t take this too well. Seeing as the pill-popping beauty queen had expected to be the first. Out of spite, Regan invites the two friends who are known to cause chaos. The evening starts out as expected, a few bottles chugged, a few lines snorted, then turns the corner when a few things get ruined. 

“Bachelorette” contains adult language, situations and aspects of mental health issues and addiction.

When the play debuted off-Broadway, Charles Isherwood of The New York Times said, “sensational….this vivid and entertaining play, as witheringly funny as it is bitterly sad.” 

Assaad is a fourth-year theatre and dance major at UC Davis. She has appeared in “The Trojan Women,” “Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike” and “The Bluest Eye” as Mama. Here at UC Davis, she focused mainly on acting but has recently transitioned into directing. Last spring, she debuted her work with a staged reading of a student-written play named “Callus.” This year, she directed a short scene from “All in the Timing.”  

Admission is by donation, suggestion is $5. 

ITDP is the Institute for Exploration in Theatre, Dance and Performance. Research in the performing arts is crucial for expanding understanding of both creative power and different kinds of knowledge and communication using voice, body and gesture. As we move toward a more global and diverse world, understanding multiple kinds of knowledge and creativity gives insight into different cultures and peoples who are sometimes outside the culture norms of accepted knowledge. ITDP will encourage dynamic thought provoking research and production across fields and in a dialogue with the diverse community of Davis.