Provided by Bucks County Community College:
Bucks County Community College presents the world premiere of Snyder V. Phelps, the Musical at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 11, in the Gateway Auditorium.
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With book and lyrics by Associate Professor Shelli Pentimall-Bookler, the rock musical follows the controversial Supreme Court case of the grieving father of a fallen marine battling Fred Phelps and the infamous Westboro Baptist Church.
“This is a great opportunity to not only see the world premiere of an original musical, but also learn about the case,” explained Pentimall-Bookler, who teaches communication and theater at Bucks. “The show opens the lines for an engaging dialogue about our Constitutional right to free speech.”
The title refers to the case of Al Snyder, father of the late Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, who sued Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church over the group’s picketing at the soldier’s funeral. Although Snyder won the first case, the original verdict was overturned on the basis of free speech, and went before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2011.
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With content for mature audiences, Snyder v. Phelps is directed by Pentimall-Bookler with music by Joshua Martin. The show, produced by the Underbite Theatre Company, is funded in part by the Bucks County Community College Cultural Programming Committee and the Bucks County Community College Foundation.
Tickets for Snyder v. Phelps are $10 and available at the Gateway Auditorium door. Curtain is 7 p.m. Thursday, September 11. Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. The production will then be featured at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival September 12, 13 and 14. To learn more, visit www.underbitetheatre.com.
