Watch three plays for the price of one in "An Evening of Tennessee," on stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 18-22 and Nov. 24 and at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 in Ball State University's Edward S. Strother Theatre.

Presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance and co-directed by students Brad Gunter and A.J. Wright, "An Evening of Tennessee" is a series of one-act plays written by Tennessee Williams, author of "The Glass Menagerie" and "A Streetcar Named Desire."

"All three plays share similar themes that deal with feelings of being trapped, which really unifies the overall production," says Gunter.

The evening begins with "Confessional," set in a Southern California bar. A group of regulars try to answer the age-old questions of who we are and why we are here, confessing their anxieties to the barkeeper. The audience also becomes acquainted with a traveling beautician, whose relationships with everyone in the bar are central to the play.

In "Moony's Kid Don't Cry," a young couple must deal with a new baby and the realization that they are trapped in a dead-end life. The play explores how they will incorporate a little freedom into their lives now that they are bound together by obligations to each other and their child.

"The Long Goodbye" looks at a young writer on the day he moves from his childhood home. While waiting for the movers and a friend, he reviews his life in that house, especially his relationships with his mother and sister. He spends this time trying to say goodbye to his past so he can move on with his life.

"We've been lucky with these three plays," Wright said. "Even though ‘Confessional' was written in the ‘70s and the others were written decades earlier, they all share common themes, and these are themes that today's generation can relate to. Where do I fit in? We think we know, but sometimes we don't."

Gunter and Wright, seniors at Ball State, enjoyed collaborating with many people and producing their own interpretation of the trilogy. 

"Brad and I both tried to avoid that sense of three-and-a-half hours of tragedy people normally get when they see plays by Tennessee Williams," Wright said. "We tried to find and emphasize that sense of humor and hope that each of these plays has."

 The Strother Theatre Box Office is open one hour before scheduled performances. Tickets can also be purchased at the University Theatre Box Office from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Tickets are $8 for the general public and $6 for students. For more information, call Strother Theatre at (765) 285-8755.