John Abbott’s latest play is worth disconnecting for
The John Abbott College theatre was filled with all laughs and no buffering as audiences gathered for the fast-paced production, “The Day the Internet Died” which opened Wednesday.
The show is a hilarious and thought-provoking comedy that explores society’s growing dependence on technology and the importance of human connection.
Written by Ian McWethy and Jason Pizzarello in 2017, “The Day the Internet Died” follows the residents of Bloomington after the internet suddenly goes down for an entire week. As a town accustomed to relying on screens for everything from shopping and communication to dating and research, its residents struggle to navigate everyday life without being able to go online.
“We generally look for plays that have some sort of relevance to what the students would like to say, and this show certainly fits that bill,” said show director Jason Howell, co-chair of the theatre arts and entertainment technology department.
“I think it leaves audiences with questions about how we communicate and how much we value human interaction in 2026.”
The production also gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of characters and experiment with their craft. Behind the scenes, third-year Production students played an important role in bringing the show to life, designing and building the production elements that contribute to its visual impact.
This is the first straightforward comedy to come to John Abbott’s stage in some time, and there are still three opportunities to catch the show! Performances continue Friday evening, followed by a Saturday matinee and an evening performance.
Tickets can be bought online at cur8.com.
Congratulations to the cast, crew and everyone involved in bringing this production to the stage!
Photo: by Dominique Gouin-Vogl
