Asheville – “Nothing needed to be changed. It felt good for last October and it may feel even better now,” muses Steven Samuels, the Producing Artistic Director of The Sublime Theater, as he reflects on the long-awaited world premiere of his latest play, Death Comes to Play. With a title that might raise eyebrows in the wake of a storm named Helene, Samuels is determined to deliver a rollicking good time that audiences desperately need.
From Concept to Creation
Samuels has always been a master of weaving narratives that dance between the absurd and the profound. “I’ve written many plays, in different ways,” he shares, “but I was most prolific when running The Magnetic Theatre Company.” His latest endeavor, however, was born out of necessity. With a production slot booked but no script in hand, he turned to inspiration from the 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday. “I took off from the premise—that Death feels compelled to take a short break—but borrowed almost nothing else,” he explains.
The play’s genesis was a whirlwind affair, with the first draft completed in just a week. “The great surprise to me was that everyone who read the script or saw a rehearsal said, ‘This is so much fun!’” Samuels laughs. “Which makes it, I believe, what we all need right now.”
As the storm clouds gathered over Asheville last fall, the production faced an unexpected delay. “When we were forced to cancel a week before opening, I feared we wouldn’t be able to return to it,” he admits. Yet, buoyed by the enthusiasm of his cast and crew, Samuels decided to forge ahead. “They all felt that, because it’s so much fun, it would be good to go ahead,” he recalls.
A Collaborative Spirit
What sets Death Comes to Play apart is its collaborative spirit. Samuels crafted the characters with his cast in mind, even borrowing personal details from their lives. “This also proved a somewhat more collaborative process than previously,” he notes. “I wrote this one with the cast members very much in mind.”
The ensemble includes familiar faces like Laura Tratnik and Olivia Stuller, alongside newcomer Alex McDonald Villareal, who stepped in at the last minute. “We were most fortunate that Alex agreed to ‘play’ with us,” Samuels says with a grin.
The play’s setting—a remote location where a 75-year-old’s birthday celebration is upended by an uninvited guest—serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of mortality and joy. “I hope and trust audiences will come away feeling exhilarated and, possibly, strengthened,” Samuels expresses earnestly.
Crafting a Comic Gothic
Samuels’ vision for Death Comes to Play is not just about laughter; it’s about empathy and connection. “It was important to me that, for my first new play in the post-pandemic era, the runtime be no longer than an hour and a half including the intermission,” he explains. “Even more important was that I give everyone a rollicking good time.”
The play’s comic gothic style invites audiences to confront serious subject matter while reveling in humor. “I always use comedy as a tool to make deeper meaning easier to contemplate,” he reflects. The juxtaposition of lightheartedness against darker themes creates a unique theatrical experience that resonates with audiences.
As the curtain rises on April 17 at the BeBe Theatre, Samuels hopes that attendees will find solace in shared laughter and reflection. “I believe enhancing empathy for one another is what we most need now,” he concludes.
The Future of The Sublime Theater
With only nine performances scheduled, tickets for Death Comes to Play are expected to sell out quickly. As Samuels looks ahead, he remains optimistic about the future of The Sublime Theater and its role in Asheville’s vibrant arts scene. “It feels just right for spring,” he says, embodying the spirit of renewal that permeates his work.
Asheville has long been known for its eclectic arts community, and Samuels’ latest offering promises to be a highlight of the season. With its blend of humor and heart, Death Comes to Play invites audiences to embrace life’s uncertainties while celebrating the joy of connection.