Stereotypes and ethnic jokes are no laughing matter, right? Wrong-according to the play Polish Joke.
This weekend, Duke Players Lab will perform the play written by comedic playwright David Ives, who is known for his brilliant use of words.
"This has a lot to do with language," said director Russell Hainline, a senior. "[It asks] what if Polish jokes are true and they really are cursed with the bad luck or being buffoons or dumber."
The play follows Jasiu, a young boy, who struggles with his Polish identity. He attempts to escape his heritage, even trying to be Irish, but discovers he cannot.
Though the play deals with serious, poignant issues, senior and recess reporter Nina Bergelson, who plays four parts in the play, said she feels the play is, more than anything, humorous.
"Ultimately, I hope [the audience] laughs a lot," she said. "People love to laugh at stereotypes. It acknowledges this is bad, but jokes are made of it. It's ok to laugh."
Hainline, who usually chooses darker fair like this fall's Seventy Scenes of Halloween and last spring's Urinetown, said he chose this play because of its heart.
"It's a bit warmer," he said. "It has edge, but in the end it's affirming-I dare to say it's heartwarming, but I don't know if I want to go that far."
Polish Joke will be performed tonight and Saturday March 3 at 8 p.m. in East Duke 209.
International moves
Vincent Mantsoe brings his self-described "Afro-fusion" dance to Page Auditorium Saturday at 8 p.m. Growing up in South Africa, Mantsoe merged street dancing, ancestral drumming and what he learned through formal training at Johannesburg's Moving Into Dance. The latest work from the acclaimed dancer and choreographer is entitled "Men-Jaro," which is township slang for friendship, and features dancers from South Africa, Japan, France and the United States.
Baby blues
The Bluest Eye, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Toni Morrison, opened Wednesday at the Paul Green Theater in Chapel Hill. It is performed by Playmakers Repertory Company and directed by Tony Award Winner Trezana Beverley. The play follows eleven year-old Pecola Breedlove as she idolizes the blue-eyed, blonde-haired white girls everyone around her seems to adore. The tale of beauty, racism and love will run until March 25.
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