CCRI Players revisit the 90s in year-end production of Three Years from Thirty
CCRI Players revisit the 90s in year-end production of Three Years from Thirty
April 14, 2022
The Community College of Rhode Island Players are stepping back into the 1990s – the
decade of family sitcoms, baggy jeans, and alternative rock – in their season-ending
production of Three Years from Thirty.
Opening night is next Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 at the Liston Campus Auditorium in
Providence with additional shows Friday (7:30 pm), Saturday (2 and 7:30 pm) and Sunday
(2 pm). (View our exclusive photo gallery)
Written in 1996 by Boston comedian and actor Mike O’Malley, Three Years from Thirty tells the poignant, funny story of a group of 27-year-olds who’ve known each other
since college, but are beginning to drift apart amidst seismic changes to their personal
lives.
The play, according to director and CCRI adjunct Theatre Professor Anthony Goes, reeks
of mid-'90s nostalgia from the dialogue to the storyline itself (think Seinfeld or Friends), but the Players wanted to take it one step further and put their own twist on O’Malley’s
signature production.
With the help of current CCRI student and Sound Designer Ilyus Evander, the Players’
adaptation of Three Years from Thirty pushes the envelope with added features such as laugh tracks, a smattering of ‘90s
hits by the likes of TLC and House of Pain, and characters breaking the fourth wall,
a term used to describe characters acknowledging the existence of audience members
and even interacting with them.
The purpose, Goes said, was to allow the student performers to “break the rules and
have a good time” with the production of the play, capping a long, but rewarding,
theater season in which the Players returned to in-person performances for the first
time since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we first started brainstorming, the laugh track wasn’t part of the plan,” Goes
said, “but Ilyus had some wacky ideas that really brought the production to life.
“We decided, ‘We’re doing it sitcom style.’ We aimed to create something off the wall.
The subject matter will be relatable, especially for people who grew up in the '90s.
There are elements of comedy from all eras, even I Love Lucy when our characters break the fourth wall. We want the audience to know they’re here
to have a good time.”
Three Years from Thirty stars Ednilson Tavares (Pawtucket, RI) as Tom, Abbey Pezza (Saunderstown, RI) as
Jessica, Mynor Rafael-Tirado (Warwick, RI) as Bart, Allison Wong (Barrington, RI)
as Ashley, Christopher Ricci (Smithfield, RI) as Bob, Shelby Cray (Bristol, RI) as
Stephanie, and Joelante Monteiro (Pawtucket, RI) as Victor.
In Three Years from Thirty, Jessica, a frustrated actress living in Boston, feels trapped in her long-standing
relationship with her boyfriend Tom and decides to pursue her dreams in New York City
without him. Chaos ensues when Jessica decides to break the news to Tom on the same
night he plans on proposing to her.
Goes said he sees parts of himself in many of the characters, especially the concept
of life presenting its biggest challenges as he moved from his mid-20s to early 30s.
A theater and television veteran, Goes recently wrapped up filming for a small role
in the popular AMC dark comedy Kevin Can F... Himself, where he stars alongside Annie Murphy of Schitt's Creek fame.
“There is an expectation that we should be in a certain place by the time we hit 30,
yet it's so hard to let go of our youth and embrace responsibility and commitment,”
Goes said. “The idea for this show is to put us in two different worlds – a place
where life is always good, fixable, and easy, and then a place where it feels like
a dramatic loop with no hope. That is Three Years from Thirty.”
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Warwick, RI -- Samantha Lescarbeau knew she would experience one life-changing event at CCRI commencement. But she never expected what would happen after she walked across the stage at Amica Mutual Pavillion on May 15.
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Warwick, RI -- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announced the winners of its 2025 Student Film Festival following a weekend of cinematic talent and storytelling. The festival kicked off with a red-carpet gala on Friday, May 10, and continued on Saturday, May 11, with a full day of student film screenings. The event drew students, faculty, and local film lovers to celebrate the achievements of CCRI’s talented filmmakers.
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Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) will launch the next phase of work-based learning to increase internships for students to work directly in workplace environments, gaining valuable skills and experience necessary for college and career success.
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A partnership between the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Delta Dental of Rhode Island (DDRI) is building a pipeline of highly trained, workforce-ready dental hygienists to respond to a nationwide demand for dental hygienists and lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable oral healthcare system in Rhode Island.
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May 16, 2025
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) celebrated a milestone achievement: its 60th Commencement Ceremony. Held at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the event marked the culmination of CCRI’s year-long diamond anniversary celebration and was a stirring tribute to six decades of transformation, opportunity, and achievement for Rhode Islanders.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) softball team is headed back to the NJCAA Division III Softball World Series for the second consecutive season following another remarkable run in 2025. With a 19-7 overall record, CCRI is currently ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA Division III national poll and will represent the Northeast District and Region XXI at the World Series, held May 21–24 at Carrier Park in Dewitt, NY.
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Brendan Murphy, former Smithfield, RI, resident and one of the most prolific scorers in the history of the Community College of Rhode Island’s men’s basketball program, was honored recently as the college’s Athletic Alumni Award recipient at the state’s 2024–25 Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony hosted by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.
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Ten student-athletes from the Community College of Rhode Island were honored last week for their athletic and academic achievements as part of the annual Scholar-Athlete Awards held in House Chamber of the Rhode Island State House. The Legislative Awards are designed to provide public recognition for student-athletes from CCRI, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island for significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and Rhode Island College (RIC) are proud to announce the launch of a new, fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program. This innovative partnership offers CCRI nursing graduates a seamless, affordable, and flexible pathway to earn their BSN while delivering the academic rigor and clinical relevance that Rhode Island’s healthcare system demands.
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The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has partnered with United Way of Rhode Island to establish a 211 satellite office on CCRI’s Warwick campus, expanding access to essential community resources for students. This collaboration underscores CCRI’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to student success and ensuring students have the support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
CCRI Launches Free Ophthalmic Technician Training Program
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Warwick, R.I. – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce the launch of a new Ophthalmic Technician training program through its Division of Workforce Partnerships. This 120-hour program, beginning in May 2025, is free of charge and designed to prepare participants for immediate employment in a fast-growing healthcare field.
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April 23, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees. We are honored to welcome these four distinguished leaders to the CCRI Foundation,” said Rosemary Costigan, Ph.D, RN, Interim President of CCRI. “Their diverse backgrounds, deep ties to the community, and shared dedication will support us in advancing the college’s mission of access, equity and opportunity.
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April 17, 2025
The Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Energy are teaming up to offer a free exploratory program designed to give participants a window into the growing utilities industry.
Introduction to Utilities – free to anyone who meets eligibility requirements through funding from Rhode Island Energy – is a seven-hour introductory course that provides participants with foundational skills and knowledge to explore career pathways within the utilities sector, specifically with Rhode Island Energy.
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April 10, 2025
Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) proudly announces that four distinguished faculty members have been recognized with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Awards. The recipients, honored for their exceptional dedication to student success and academic excellence
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Warwick, RI – The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is proud to announce that it has been designated a Military Friendly® School for the fourth consecutive year, achieving Gold status for the first time during the 2025–2026 academic year. This prestigious recognition underscores CCRI's unwavering commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.