Spring Break
Play lights up Underground
Story based on death of actor Heath Ledger
Wil Lyons/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
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The senior history major showcased the play he wrote and starred in at 7th Street Underground Wednesday night.
"Dreams on Fire," details many of the factors and hardships facing drug addicts today.
The play runs the gamut of emotions, from laughter all the way to sadness and outright despair. These are not just the emotions of Adrian, but also those around him, who try to support him, despite his problems.
"It was something that had to be said," Teresi said of the play's dark nature.
The play used the death of Heath Ledger as a launch pad for the theme of the play: the effect of drugs and fame.Teresi proved his ability to bring issues to life on stage.
"It was heartwarming but realistic; it felt like a movie," freshman Tommy Nierman said.
Andrew Hicks, who played the drug dealer, did not think the prospect of dealing with the issues of drug abuse was daunting.
"I didn't think twice," he said.
However, the play does carry an inherent darkness that only grows as the story develops.
Adrian had initial success before turning to drugs and alcohol, which kept him out of work for two years before finally landing a starring role in a movie; however, success did not end his addictions, in fact the stress involved worsened it.
Erica Jones played his emotionally strained girlfriend while Mariam Amr played Adrian's ever-supportive agent and secret love interest.
"I'm used to being happy go lucky," said Jones about taking a more serious role. "It makes you a good actor/actress to be diverse."
Amr explained the reality the role brought her.
"There are people who have these problems everyday, it made me realize how lucky I am," she said.
Adrian's drug problems reach a low when he threw his girlfriend to the floor, lost his job and attempted suicide. However, Adrian survives, goes to rehab and starts a relationship with his agent and long-term love interest.
This is the second play Teresi has put on with support from University Board. The first, "Crosstown," was a love story that chronicled an affair between a White Sox fan and a Cubs fan.
Teresi has another play, "Party at the Rehab," in the works that he hopes to show in the spring. Teresi described it as a college comedy where six seniors throw a party at an abandoned rehabilitation facility.
Wil Lyons can be reached at 581-7943 or at wtlyons@eiu.edu.
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