Staged Adaptation of Award-Winning Novel The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao to be Presented at William Paterson University on March 29


A one-person version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz will be presented as part of American Place Theatre’s Literature to Life Stage Program on Wednesday, March 28, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at William Paterson University in Wayne. The performance will take place in the University’s Shea Center for Performing Arts on campus.

Tickets are free but registration is required. Tickets are available at the Shea Center Box office at 973.720.2371 or wp-presents.org.

This adaptation chronicles the life of Oscar de Leon, an overweight Dominican boy growing up in Paterson, New Jersey who obsesses over science fiction, fantasy novels, falling in love, and the curse that has plagued his family for generations. Despite the endless taunting from friends, family, and foes, Oscar remains true to himself, as the family curse declares its power and the violence of Oscar's family history collides with his present.

Adapted and directed by Elise Thoron and performed by Kelvin Grullon, this Literature to Life presentation features the delicately brutal words of Junot Díaz, detailing the life-long alienation of the love-obsessed Oscar as narrated by his unlikely friend, Yunior. The play contains mature content and language.

Literature to Life, the American Place Theatre’s performance-based literacy program, presents professionally staged adaptations of significant American works.

03/17/23