Fresno State’s Experimental Theatre Co. (ETC) is set to put on “A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney” as the play makes its Central Valley debut.
The play, written by Lucas Hnath, finds Disney in the last days of his life as he contemplates his legacy with his brother, daughter and son-in-law. The performance breaks down the walls between the characters and the audience, while getting to the gritty core of Walt’s existence and his harsh treatment of his family.
It uses firsthand accounts, stories and legends about Disney to create a fictional retelling of what these confrontations could’ve looked like.
“I think what will surprise people is seeing this man who essentially lived out the American dream sort of deteriorating,” said Nico Diviccaro, who portrays Disney. “I think everyone, when they think Disney, they think of [it] kind of happening overnight…but it took a lot of sacrifice.”
In this work, Disney serves as the narrator and guide to his own story, exposing his true nature.
“All his family starts to blow up and the truth of his life starts to seep through the cracks of his screenplay,” Diviccaro said. “A part of me thinks that he did it on purpose so the audience could see how awfully he was treated in his eyes [but] he was a pretty awful man…in real life.”
The performance promises an immersive experience as it begins with Disney greeting audience members.
“As soon as you walk in, the show has started,” Diviccaro said. “You become a part of the show, essentially.”
Sosa admits the show’s unflinching demeanor is part of what drew him into directing the play.
“It’s been eye-opening for me,” said director Diego J. Sosa. “This show isn’t afraid to say this man was not perfect, but he was only human.”
Diviccaro also commended the show’s honesty.
“Nobody in the Disney company has acknowledged this show,” he said. “And I think that lack of response is in of itself a response, because it’s almost like saying ‘we don’t want to give credence to any truth in this show.’”
The show will also feature live musical performances that work to create its score in real time.
Kate Peck, who portrays Disney’s daughter, Diane, says the musical elements only fuel the onstage performances.
“We have a pianist and a cellist,” said “When Walt would be in his office, regularly he would have musicians there.”
The show veers into the darkest depths of Disney, and the crew hopes that audiences will leave with some new outlooks on life and ponder their own legacies.
Diviccaro hopes to tap into audiences’ emotions, and evoke feelings in the visceral ways that he’s been able to experience while watching film, television and theater.
“A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney” deconstructs the myth, the legend to reveal a mere man who’s persona only slipped behind closed doors.
“He cared more about what the world thought of him and what the public thought of him than his own family,” Diviccaro said. “And that’s what cost him in the end.”
Performances will take place at the Lab School Theatre in Room 101 on April 4, at 4 p.m., April 5, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and April 6, at 2 p.m.
Doors open 30 minutes before curtain and latecomers will not be permitted, according to a university press release.
Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the Box Office in the Speech Arts Building, Tuesday – Thursday from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. ETC asks that all tickets be purchased in advance as there will be no door sales.
