STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
MacArthur Genius award-winning playwright Samuel D. Hunter will discuss the new play he is bringing to the stage this summer in Sun Valley at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 10, outside Ketchum’s Community Library.
An Idaho native, Hunter sets all of his plays in Idaho. And “A Case for the Existence of God” is no different.
Hunter will discuss the challenges of taking a play from the page to a fully-fledged production with Jenny Emery Davison, the library’s executive director, and Jonathan Kane of Sawtooth Productions, which will be staging the play.
Paul Lazar of New York City will direct the play, which will run June 30 to July 10 at the Reinheimer Ranch in Ketchum. Tickets are on sale at theargyros.org and fielddazesunvalley.org.
"We are so excited to be a part of sharing Sam Hunter’s and Paul Lazar’s work with our community, and to be working closely with Jon Kane and Sawtooth Productions," said Martha Williams, the library's programs director. "These outdoor events throughout June and into July are bringing tremendous talent into the Wood River Valley, encouraging us to think deeply about stories, performance and interpretation, and human resiliency. Hearing from these acclaimed artists is a real treat and an incredible start to our summer."
Raised in Moscow, Idaho, Hunter penned “A Bright New Boise,” which won the 2011 Obie Award for playwriting. His “The Whale” won a 2013 Drama Desk Award.
Wood River Valley audiences enjoyed play readings of his satirical “Clarkston” and “Lewiston” at The Argyros just before the pandemic began.
Thursday’s conversation will be held outdoors on the library’s Donaldson Robb Family Green. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or chair.