The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt

Claire Zachanassian is rich. Very rich. When she visits her debt-ridden hometown after an absence of many years, she offers to shower great wealth on its residents. The catch? The offer comes with a terrible price. Ringing denials meet Claire’s request but gradually moral apathy, silence and greed lead the townspeople to meet Claire’s terms and murder one of their own. Swiss playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt published The Visit (Der Besuch der alten Dame) in 1956, after years of reflection about WW II. Dürrenmatt and many of his peers disparaged their homeland’s neutral stance during the war, recognizing that this, too, came at a cost. In The Visit he makes clear the dangers of corruption, self-protection and refusing to take a stance. This recorded performance of The Visit will be available on our Vimeo platform October 15, 7:30 pm through Sunday, October 18 at 6 pm and then October 22, 7:30 pm through Sunday, October 26 at 6 pm. After you purchase your ticket you will be able to view the production at any point in those open windows. You will receive an access link in your email after purchasing your ticket. Visit https://salemstatetickets.universitytickets.com to purchase tickets!