If Matt Damon and Ben Affleck fans think they’ve seen all aspects of their favorite heartthrobs, they should think again. Tuesday night, Hatcher Hall Theatre will host a perspective of Hollywood’s most famous friends as two female theatre students perform “Matt & Ben,” a comedy about the attached-at-the-hip movie stars’ relationship. Director Elizabeth Godley, theatre senior, said after reading the script for the first time, she knew she could not leave the University without directing this piece. “It’s made for our generation,” she said. Lauren Stotts, theatre senior who will play Affleck, said there is a surplus of 1990s references in the 1995 setting for students to enjoy. “It’s all just too damn funny,” she said. Godley said the play’s humor comes from the personality of the writer, Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly Kapoor on the CBS sitcom, “The Office.” “There’s one serious moment [in the play], and that’s about it,” she said. Caitlyn Sabrio, theatre senior who will play Matt Damon, and Stotts said their characters are surprisingly easy to play, and they do not face masculinity issues. “We didn’t focus on boys being boys,” Sabrio said. Godley said she cast girls because she did not want audiences to compare the actors’ performance with those of Damon and Affleck. “I wanted to give a chance for women to be funny,” she said. Stotts said she likes expressing humor on stage to break stereotypes. “Women aren’t supposed to be funny,” she said. “I can actually show people that I am funny.” Godley said the play offers more than humor. “The play deals with the basic concepts of relationships,” Sabrio said. Stotts said friendship is the most eminent aspect of the play, showing how its values can lead people through almost anything. Godley said the play portrays the challenges of friendship Damon and Affleck experienced when they saw each other at their worst. Sabrio said the comedy offers some room to analyze and construct theories on friendship. “You must cross the line in order for friendship to grow,” she said. Sabrio also said “Matt & Ben” is a fresh, straightforward performance compared to the typical studio shows, which are focused mainly on dramatic arts. “I think people will like the reality of it,” she said. Sabrio and Stotts said between the logical Matt Damon and the overenthusiastic Ben Affleck, viewers are sure to enjoy themselves, especially when the characters interact with the audience. “Matt & Ben” will show Oct. 16-19 at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude Oct. 21 with a matinee at 2 p.m. and a finale at 7:30 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation of $6.
—-Contact Lindsay Gallmann at [email protected]