Sequence

Two narratives intertwine like a fragment of DNA to examine the interplay between logic and metaphysics, science and faith, luck, and probability. Belief systems clash, ideas mutate, and order springs from chaos.

Play title: Sequence

Author (s): Arun Lakra

Publisher: Canada Press

Publication Date: 2014 (Canada Press)

Genre: Drama

Primary Discipline: Mathematics

Secondary Discipline: Genetics

Scientist (s): Fictional

Source Texts: Unknown

Character Breakdown: 2 Men 2 Women

Dr. Guzman, Theo, Mr. Adamson, Cynthia

Setting: Varies

Time Period: Present Day

Synopsis of Play: Theo has been named Time Magazine’s Luckiest Man Alive. For twenty consecutive years he has successfully bet double or nothing on the Super Bowl coin toss. And he’s getting ready to risk millions on the twenty-first when he is confronted by Cynthia, a young women who claims to have figured out his mathematical secret.

Stem-cell researcher and professor Dr. Guzman is on the verge of a groundbreaking discovery. She’s also learned that one of her students has defied probability to get all one-hundred-and-fifty multiple-choice questions wrong on his genetics exam, but it’s not until he shows up at her office in the middle of the night that she’s unable to determine if it’s simply bad luck.

The two narratives intertwine like a fragment of DNA to examine the interplay between logic and metaphysics, science and faith, luck, and probability. Belief systems clash, ideas mutate, and order springs from chaos. With razor-sharp wit and playful language, Sequence asks, in our lives, in our universe, and even in our stories, does order matter? (play text cover blurb, Canada Press)

First Performance Date: 2011

First Producer: Alberta Playwrights’ Network

Performance History: Sequence received its first workshop through the Alberta Playwrights’ Network in 2011. Following this, as part of the award for winning the grand prize in the Alberta Playwriting Competition, Sequence received a workshop and a public reading during Theatre Alberta/Alberta Playwrights’ Network 2011 PlayWorks Ink Conference. Sequence was developed further through a special workshop presentation at the 2013 Telluride Playwrights Festival. The play received its world premiere at the Big Secret Theatre in the EPCOR Centre of the Performing Arts, Calgary, Alberta, in a joint production by Downstage and Hit & Myth Productions from February 20th through March 2nd, 2013. It was directed by Kevin McKendrick with lighting design by Anton de Groot, sound design by Terry Gunvordahl and costume design by Laura Lottes.

Sequence received its US premiere in a production by the Bloomington Playwrights Project from October 4th through October 12th, 2013, in Bloomington, Indiana. It was directed by Lee Cromwell with scenic design by David Wade, Lighting Design by Tilman Piedmont, sound design by Brian Donnelly, costume design by Chib Gratz, and the stage manager was Travis Staley.

Links:

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2017/01/13/sequences-thought-provoking-drama-is-matter-of-time-review.html

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/sequence-lacks-depth-required-of-this-redolent-math-themed-show/article33620138/

https://www.dailynews.com/2017/07/30/sequence-is-a-complex-exploration-of-belief-science-at-theatre-40-in-beverly-hills/

https://nowtoronto.com/stage/theatre/sequence-serves-up-saccharine-pop-science/

https://www.vancouverpresents.com/theatre/sequence-explores-intersection-math-nature-spirituality/

Entered by: Meaghan Yesford

Photo/Visual Research with citations