'Sheba' a story about redemption

Play takes place in 1950s, but director says themes still are relevant today

LOUIE TRAUB/VIEWThe milkman, played by LaBrandon Shead, flexes for Lola, played by Susan Denaker, during a dress rehearsal of "Come Back, Little Sheba," at the Judy Bayley Theatre on the UNLV campus. Advertisement

Some themes are timeless.

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre's production of "Come Back, Little Sheba," playing at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theater through Sunday, is a play about redemption.

According to director Jeff Koep, human beings seem to struggle with the same issues and vices in every era. That is what makes the human experience so universal and transcendent, he said.

"Our play is set in the early 1950s, but the issues that affected people then are still affecting people today," Koep said. "Some themes will always be relevant. The story doesn't change. Only the people do."

Audience members are introduced to Doc and Lola Delaney, two characters who have made life decisions based on the crush of moral obligation during that time period.

"Doc and Lola have struggled through a decaying marriage for 25 years," Koep said. "The nature of their existence as a couple is called into question when a college coed rents a room in their home. Some of the issues taken on by this play made it very controversial for its time."

The topics addressed include alcoholism, teen pregnancy and sexuality, social issues that were not spoken about openly in the '50s; a truth that, according to Koep, taught later generations how to better deal with them.

"I think that there's a lesson as you watch Doc and Lola struggle with their past ... she got pregnant and they married, but somewhere along the way lost their child ... but they never talk about anything," Koep said. "Doc is an alcoholic, and there's no communication between the two. I think the key message is to face your problems. Don't pretend they don't exist. That was a common practice during that time and still is for some people."

Koep said the couple's overall path and struggle is defined by their inability to relinquish the past.

"Lola keeps calling for a dog named Sheba that disappeared a year prior," Koep said. "She knows the dog is gone but she continues to look for it and long for its homecoming. It's a metaphor for the longing that so many of us have for things gone that will never return."

Michael Tylo, who plays Doc, believes that the play ultimately teaches people that no matter what the situation, there's hope if you're willing to seek it out.

"Doc is the kind of guy who can't move out of the past because he believes he has no future," Tylo said. "But we hope to see him turn around and redeem himself. I think that audiences will be happy with the character's evolution and perhaps even see their own lives reflected in certain situations."

"Come Back, Little Sheba," will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. The Judy Bayley Theater is on the campus at UNLV, 4505 Maryland Parkway.

Tickets cost between $20 and $35 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office. For more information, call 895-2787.