The Norwegians by C. Denby Swanson

Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 5 PM

A delightfully dark comedy about women scorned in Minnesota and the really, really nice gangsters–Norwegian hit men–they hire to whack their ex-boyfriends. Olive, a transplant from Texas, and Betty, a transplant from Kentucky, have been dumped while undergoing a horrendous Minnesota winter. They meet at a bar, recognize each other’s thirst for vengeance, and Betty recommends a pair of Norwegian assassins, Tor and Gus. However, just as the path of love does not run smooth, hilarious twists and complications arise with all involved in this business of revenge.

We’re thrilled to present the Austin premiere of this new play by award-winning local playwright C. Denby Swanson! After graduating from the University of Austin Michener Center for Writers, Swanson went on to receive a Jerome Fellowship, McKnight Advancement Grant, William Inge Residency, and the NEA/TCG National Theater Residency Program for Playwrights. Her work has been commissioned and produced nationally as well as locally by Zach Scott, Salvage Vanguard Theater, and ScriptWorks. She is the former Artistic Director of ScriptWorks and is currently on faculty at Southwestern University.

The Norwegians stars Claire Grasso as Olive, Boni Hester as Betty, Michael Stuart as Tor and Ben Wolfe as Gus. The play is directed by Lara Toner, with set design by Mike Toner, costume design by Glenda Barnes, lighting design by Don Day, and sound design by Joel Mercado-See.