Piñata: a dark comedy

• Main Author: Ramberran, Kevin
• Other Authors: Kerr, William (English, Film, and Theatre)
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Dark comedy; Theatre; Play; Comedy; Semiotics; Laughter; Farce; Stage; Oppression
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1993/31042

Piñata: A Dark Comedy is a dark comedy written to explore what an audience is willing to laugh at and what remains when the laughter has finished. Set in a tavern, Piñata showcases the comedic on goings of a few young adults. Stephen enacts an extensive scheme to show Marcy that her boyfriend is no good for her. Stephen’s friend Wick attempts to cope with haunting trauma as his sister, Lily, does what she can to get Stephen’s attention. The characters navigate each others desires and needs through witty banter and outrageous stories. These comedic antics build in intensity until the play reaches a shocking climax. This moment thrusts the audience into a state of discomfort. The play is prefaced with a critical chapter that explores the way in which the play deals with its audience and how the play utilizes audience laughter. === February 2016