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(courtesy of UW Theatre and Dance)

The University of Wyoming’s Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present Lisa Loomer’s “Distracted.” The show will run from October 25th-29th in the University of Wyoming Fine Arts Studio Theatre. Ticket prices for the public are $14, $11 for seniors and $7 for students. “Distracted” is an  Off-Broadway hit by the author of “Girl, Interrupted” and “The Waiting Room.” It is a fast-paced, alternately distressing and disarmingly funny look at parenting in the age of the Internet and Ritalin.

 

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(courtesy of UW Theatre and Dance)

“Distracted” revolves around one family’s attempt to help their nine-year-old son Jesse, whose behaviors are landing him into trouble at home and school.  Jesse can’t sit still, he curses, he raps, and you can’t get him into —or out of— his pajamas.  His teacher thinks that it’s Attention Deficit Disorder. The psychiatrist thinks he needs medication.  Dad thinks he’s just being a boy.  And Mama’s on a quest for answers.  Is Jesse dysfunctional, or just different?

Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are disorders that effects millions of children and adults. There has been much debate over ADD/ADHD and if medication is the proper form of treatment. According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention the percent of children ages 3-17 years diagnosed with ADHD is 8.4% or to put it into perspective that’s 5.2 million kids.

At times hilarious and others poignant, “Distracted” leads us to ask questions about ADHD, but gives no hard answers.  How reliable are diagnoses of ADHD and how are diagnostic criteria influenced by drug companies?  Is drug therapy safe and effective?  Are there viable alternatives to drug therapy?  And more pervasively, does the modern information-overloaded world contribute to the problem for everyone and increase diagnoses of ADHD?  Are we so tuned into technology that we’ve tuned out the things that really matter?

UW Theatre and Dance would love for the public to attend “Distracted.” To purchase a ticket, or for information click here, or call (307) 766-6666.

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