Dezart Performs Launches New Season With Provocative Play “Eureka Day”

On this edition of Desert Entertainment with Tod Macofsky, founding artistic director Michael Shaw joined the show to preview the opening production of Dezart Performs’ new season, Eureka Day.

The play opens January 15 and marks the first official show of the season following the reopening of the Desert Playhouse, which debuted with a gala in November. Written by Jonathan Spector, Eureka Day recently won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play and has gained renewed attention for its relevance.

Set at a private, progressive elementary school in Berkeley, the story centers on a mumps outbreak and the intense debate that follows among parents and administrators. Issues surrounding vaccinations, public health, personal beliefs, and community responsibility quickly come to the forefront. Shaw explained that while the play was written in 2017, well before the COVID-19 pandemic, its themes feel even more timely today.

Though the subject matter is serious, Shaw describes Eureka Day as a satire rather than a straight comedy. One of the most talked-about moments in the play features a chaotic town hall conducted via an onstage chat-room-style meeting, drawing clear parallels to modern Zoom calls and online discourse.

Eureka Day also marks the beginning of Dezart Performs’ 18th season. Shaw reflected on the company’s longevity and shared what else audiences can look forward to. Up next is the West Coast premiere of Destroying David by Jason Odell Williams, a play that examines the fragility and value of art. The season will close with Love! Valour! Compassion!, Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning play, which Shaw himself will perform in for the first time in five years.

In addition to the onstage productions, Dezart Performs is moving ahead with phase two of the Desert Playhouse renovation. Planned upgrades include new seating, expanded restrooms, a new bar, and a redesigned box office and lobby.

Tickets for Eureka Day are available at desartperforms.org. The season runs through April.

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