For anyone who has ever applied to a college, chatted via the internet or used text messaging as a means for conversation, Writer 1272 is a must-see. Every college student can relate to the comical struggles of the characters, while keeping their eyes glued to the set hoping for more.

The Aquinas College Theatre production of Writer 1272 opens with Writers 1268, 1269, and 1270 each sitting at their own desks with nothing but the glow of a computer screen lighting their faces. All of a sudden the characters seize the audience’s attention with quick-witted banter comparing how their life experiences are equitable to Benjamin Franklin’s thousands of failed attempts leading up the creation of a working electric light bulb. The audience becomes so caught up in the whirlwind of the dialogue, that they have no choice but to give the play 100% of their attention.

Right from the beginning, the characters plunge into the depths of the plot leaving the audience cracking up along the way.

The central focus of Writer 1272 unveils to the audience how a person is able to hide his/her identity behind technology. People today have conversations through internet chatting and text messaging instead of face-to-face, which leaves both parties unsure of exactly what is going on. How does one really know who is at the other end of that conversation? All of this leads up to misidentifying characters, and one could not begin to explain how comical some of those scenes were.

The play also focuses on the absurdity of the quests that students have to go through to get into college. Ridiculous questions with mind-blowing answers must provide a response at a writing level equal to someone with a PhD. The play mocks this absurdity while the cast embraces it.

It has to be said what keeps the audience hooked is the tangible energy of the cast. They aren’t just mindlessly chanting memorized lines hoping for a good response. They are hand delivering wittiness that leaves the audience laughing to hard they can barely hear the next lines of the play.

Director Randy Wyatt says, “I love the wit about the play. College is a time of becoming someone. Some people in the play are resisting college, and some people feel like no one understands them.”

In the end, everyone is searching for an identity to call their own. Wyatt says that he feels the great energy portrayed by the cast comes from their ability to relate to the material.

“Everyone in the show can relate to these characters. The commitment level of the cast was very high because it was material well-matched.”

Actor Duncan McCargar also commented on the chemistry among cast-mates.

“The dynamic between everyone is so unique,” said McCargar. “Everyone brings something really great to the table.”

Writer 1272

has a clever screenplay, an energetic cast and a relatable plotline. Any Aquinas student would walk away from this performance laughing.

Still unsure of whether it’s worth your time? Six words: Girl fight. Making out. Baked goods. What else could you want?

The Aquinas College Theatre’s Writer 1272 will be at the Performing Arts Center beginning today at 8 p.m. There will also be performances on April 2, 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. as well as April 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for faculty and $4 for students.

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