Nov. 9, 2026
Contact Benjamin Gonzales at 608-796-3791or bmgonzales@viterbo.edu
VITERBO UNIVERSITY CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS TO PRESENT THE THANKSGIVING PLAY NOV. 20–22
LA CROSSE, Wis. – Good intentions collide with uncomfortable truths in the wickedly funny and widely acclaimed satire The Thanksgiving Play presented by the Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts Friday, Nov. 20–Sunday, Nov. 22 in the Fine Arts Center LaCroix Black Box Theatre.
Four well-meaning theatre artists gather to create a school pageant that tells the story of the first Thanksgiving, carefully attempting to avoid every possible cultural misstep along the way. What could possibly go wrong? Written by Larissa FastHorse, The Thanksgiving Play invites audiences to laugh, reflect, and reconsider the stories we think we know.
“The play is just very funny,” said Viterbo faculty member and director Benjamin Gonzales. “It’s satire on the holiday of Thanksgiving with some dark humor as it takes the idea of white saviorism and puts it in a classroom as these well-meaning people try to put on this play.”
This production stars Viterbo students Will Markert as Jaxton, Alanna Sawall as Logan, AJ Murphy as Alicia, and Henri Copus as Caden. Lucy Prush, Alanna Wagner, and Selma Olsen are stand by cast members and will perform in the 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Senior Carley Clover, who recently starred in the Viterbo production of Kiss Me, Kate, is the assistant director and cultural consultant.
“I’ve worked at different places across the country, and I can say that Viterbo has amazingly gifted students,” Gonzales said. “This play is performed by wonderful actors who really understand the satire and the humor it brings.”
The LaCroix Black Box Theatre is an intimate venue that allows the play to be performed “in the round” with the audience on all sides.
“The audience will hopefully feel like they’re in the classroom with the actors,” Gonzales said.
The Thanksgiving Play is presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Content advisory: This satirical comedy contains strong language while exploring contemporary conversations about history, race, and cultural representation. It is recommended for ages 14 and up.
Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Tickets are $16 plus a $3 convenience fee and $1 facility fee per ticket. All orders will include a 5.5% sales tax. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets. A group sale discount of 10 tickets or more at 10% off single ticket prices is available by calling or visiting the box office.
