North Shore Fish, the Off-Broadway hit by Israel Horowitz, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, all in the James F. Metcalf Theater on the SIUE campus.>
Horowitz based the play on the real economic problems facing the people of Gloucester, Mass., where the fishing industry was on the wane in the late 1980s. The plot revolves around the lives of the underpaid and overworked employees of a failing Gloucester fish-packing plant. “in Gloucester, a middle class town, you were either a fisherman or you worked in a fish-packing plant,” said director Peter Cocuzza, an associate professor of Theater and Dance at SIUE.>
“Horowitz is showing us how failing economic times affects the lives of these middle-class people,” Cocuzza said. “This play is what is known as a ‘dram-edy’ in which you have dramatic elements with comic moments.” >
Below are photos that are suitable for print:>
Members of the cast include (from left) Michelle Boone, of Springfield, as Flo, who is talking with co-worker Maureen, played by Kate DeVoss of Quincy. In the background, Sal, played by Joe Garner of Fairview Heights, argues with Porker, played by Alex Moore of St. Louis (63125). (SIUE Photo by Bill Brinson)>
In the photos above and below, Maureen is discussing the state of affairs at the plant with Flo. Pressed fish is being processed at the plant instead of fresh fish because the Gloucester fishing industry has fallen on hard times. Sal and Porker look on. (SIUE Photos by Bill Brinson)>
