MISSOULA — What started as a prompt in Dr. Randy Bolton’s playwrighting class six years ago, transformed into the never before seen play taking the stage in downtown Missoula Thursday night.
The Poppovichs explores the topic of mortality through drama and comedy with the story line and characters are based on Leah Joki -- the playwright's family.
"I have some crazy characters in my family, it was like ‘I just need to keep on adding on to this situation and listen to the people around me' because you can’t make it up," Joki said. "There is a wealth of material all around you, and sometimes in your own house."
Joki explained that the Montana references in combination with the family dynamic makes the play extremely relatable to a Montanan audience.
Without giving away too much of the plot, Joki said, "it’s really about a big family, a Butte family that is a tight knit family and they stick together through everything."
Audiences can expect some twists and turns too. Joki added, "It’s a roller coaster. It’s a really interesting roller coaster."
Joki was one of only three playwrights in Montana chosen to produce an original script as part of the Montana Premier Project, a new initiative by the Montana Playwrights Network.
The Downtown Dance Collective worked with Montana Playwrights Network to bring Joki's vision to life. DDC Executive Director Heather Adams hopes to see the community come out for this truly Montanan experience.
"Montanans love to support other Montanans so it’s really pretty exciting. This show is about places in Montana, it’s written by someone who is from Butte and is of Missoula now," Adams said. "There’s a lot of energy behind telling the stories that are of this community,"
Ticket purchases and details can be found on ddcmontana.com.
