Set in rural Wisconsin’s driftless area, differing political viewpoints play out in Swing State
The final DUUversity offering for the late winter – early spring season is Swing State, running February 11 – March 8 at Next Act Theatre, 255 S. Water St.
Early on, protagonist Peg cancels her subscription to the local newspaper when it endorses Trump. Others in her community feel differently. The play explores how this initial difference manifests in views on other issues, especially how the environmental disaster that Peg sees happening is viewed by her neighbors and friends. (For those of you who don’t know, the driftless area is the unglaciated southwestern part of the state).
This is the latest Wisconsin play by Rebecca Gilman, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and former theater instructor at Northwestern University, who has lived in the Badger State for several years. Googling the title will bring up many very positive reviews. The one negative comment I saw is that the ending is “unrealistically optimistic”. Right about now, I could use a little optimism, so that’s OK by me.
“Another Billion-Dollar Data Center Eyed in Driftless Area” is a headline in today’s (2/11/26) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Business Section. Just the kind of thing Peg would have opposed. Also, the Green Sheet top article mentions the play in paragraphs 5 – 7.
As a reminder, DUUversity is the popular UUCW activity that combines a meaningful theater production, a nice restaurant meal with friends, and stimulating conversation about themes in the play and how they relate to UU values. Participants purchase theater tickets on their own, and attend the play any time during its run. Next Act offers some discounted tickets, including a “pay what you can” on the third Monday of the run. Also $5 off tickets are available for seniors, educators, and veterans. Purchase tickets HERE
The group dinner will be at Maggiano’s on Sunday, March 8, with the reservation (under the name “Kathy”) starting at 4:30 pm. Maggiano’s is in Mayfair Mall with an entrance on the west side parking area.
Please let Kathy Herrewig know if you plan to join us for dinner on the eighth, and also if you are interested in carpooling from the church. Child care may be available; contact Dave Cicero.