“Diversion” Now Playing Premiere Stages at Kean

: Dani Nelson, Michelle Liu Coughlin and DeAnna Lenhart. Premiere Stages 2024 production of Diversion. Photo by Mike Peters.

Diversion– 2023 Premiere Play Festival Winner

Now playing on the Premiere Stages at Kean is the winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. Written by Scott Organ, the play, Diversion, is a timely selection and one that is ground breaking. It provides a look at a serious problem known as drug diversion. In this play, it involves a group of nurses.

Looking at the use of the word diversion as the title has special meaning. As explained on one of the information boards Premiere Stages created for this show: “Drug diversion occurs when medication is redirected from its intended destination for personal use, sale, or distribution to others.” It can result in a nurse’s criminal prosecution and loss of license. This is a serious situation.

Photo – K. Nowosad – Information boards for this show can be seen in the lobby of Bauer Boucher Theatre.

That definition gives you the basic problem that arises in Diversion. However, there is more to it than that. What makes this new play so timely and ground breaking is that it addresses both the dedication and after effects CoVid 19 had on the nursing profession. The play includes references to those issues. I applaud Playwright Organ and the Premiere Stages for selecting this play as it is time to start talking about this topic.

Drugs are Missing – the Story Begins

Premiere Stages Producing Artistic Director, John J. Wooten, does a marvelous job directing this production. The action drives forward with an air of mystery to it. The story is well written with interesting dialog throughout. It entails meeting the characters. listening to their background issues, and determining if they are a part of the diversion.

Diversion begins with a new nurse on the ICU unit, Mandy (Edit Salas Miller), sound asleep in the break room. When nurse Amy (DeAnna Lenhart) tries to wake her, it becomes apparent that she is in a deep sleep. Several nurses have seen this happen a few times and wonder why this is happening. When she finally wakes up, she explains that she had a late night with her boyfriend.

The other nurses of the unit have issues stemming back from the chaos of CoVid 19. These were the people who were on the front lines treating those who were ill from this virus. They experienced difficulties with having to work double and sometimes triple shifts. Flashbacks of bad experiences haunt some of them as well as some physical problems like a bad knee suffered by Emilia ( Dani Nelson). Also working with this group is nurse is Mike (Lucas Iverson) who has issues with a family member.

The Investigation

Enter Bess ( Jeaniene Green) who supervises the unit. She asks to meet with the entire group. At this meeting, she tells them that drugs were stolen from the hospital. She explains that the hospital has hired a consultant, Josephine (Michelle Liu Coughlin) to try to find out who is involved with the diversion. When Josephine meets the group, she says that she is collecting data; but those who have been there for awhile know better. This inclusion of the consultant seems to be disturbing.

Lucas Iverson, Jeaniene Green, and Michelle Liu Coughlin. Premiere Stages 2024 production of Diversion. Photo by Mike Peters.

As the play moves towards its climax, there are several who could be guilty of the diversion. However, it may come as a surprise when the truth is revealed. Keep in mind the definition of a diversion and that it has several parts to it. That will explain the conclusion that is reached.

The set design add much to this production. You will feel like you are actually in a hospital setting.The professional design team of Bethanie Wampol (Set Designer) and Zack Gage (Sound Designer) deserve a big round of applause for their work. Keep those applause going for Tyler Sautner (Sound Designer), Karen Lee Hart (Costume Designer), Jennifer Bonilla (Props Master), Dale Smallwood (Production Stage Manager), and Jenna Gregson (Assistant Stage Manager).

All in all, Diversion is a play well worth going to see. I hope that this presentation as the Winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival is just the beginning for it.

Go to see Diversion

Diversion runs September 5-September 22 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J.

The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays, September 7 and 14  at 3pm & 8pm. Saturday, September 21 the show is at 3pm and Sundays at 3pm. Newly added to the schedule is a 2pm performance on Friday, September 20.

To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit Premiere Stages at premierestagesatkean.com

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