SIXTY NINE SEVENTY, a nostalgic play written by Buffalo State alumnus Michael Eichler, is going to be performed for the first time in Buffalo on Saturday, as a reading at the JVL Alumni & Visitor Center.

I had the privilege of a catching up with both Eichler and the director of the reading Kyle LoConti to talk about the upcoming event.

So, what exactly is SIXTY NINE SEVENTY about?
LoConti: The play recalls events at Buffalo State during the 1969-70 academic year at the College. It follows the lives of four Buffalo State students through that tumultuous year.
Eichler: The four students talk about issues such as war, the environment, government corruption, and abortion. The issues that they faced back then are still very much being talked about today.

Now why should you go and see it?
Eichler: The play tries to get people to think “wait a minute, what could be learned from that?”, you know? And maybe what would you be doing differently now to improve the situation? It really surprised me when I looked back at old editions of The Record with how similar the issues were at that time to now.
LoConti: Historically, it was a time of great political and social upheaval: anti-war protests, the institution of the draft, the Kent State shootings, the Black Panther Movement, the sexual revolution, the first Earth Day. In 2023 we are still struggling with many of the same issues, and there continues to be political and social upheaval. Echoes from 50 years ago resonate today. In addition, it is well written, and Buffalo should celebrate a local talent who has gone on to a successful career as a playwright.
Eichler: Yeah, and the cast has four recent graduate students: two from Buffalo State, and two from Niagara.

Then for Eichler, what is the inspiration for writing this story?
Eichler: Actually, I took inspiration for the writing from articles that The Record here would publish around 1969. An example of that is how a tenured faculty member, in biology I believe, wrote and signed a letter to one of the editors at The Record. That letter in particular said that they didn’t understand why black people are complaining, and they’re lucky we took them from Africa. The Record printed it which does show that the issues of racism and foreign policy were very much on the mind of students back then as they are now.

Then for LoConti, what brought you to become the director of this reading?
LoConti: This year is the 50th anniversary of Mr. Eichler’s graduating class, and I believe that the Reunion Committee decided to include a reading of the play as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. I am a director in the Buffalo theatre community, having directed at Irish Classical Theatre Company, Kavinoky, Theater of Youth, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Road Less Traveled Productions and Shea’s 710 Theatre, and was invited by members of the Reunion Committee to direct the reading.

So, what does the show mean to each of you?
Eichler: So, one of the students talks about the pandemic that occurred in 1917. It swept the whole country, and thousands of people died. After the pandemic ended, that student said that they would never talk about the problem again. So, if it were to come back, no one would know anything about it. So, I’m trying to make that point in the play. If you don’t look back at history, you don’t know how these things occur.
LoConti: As a 1973 college graduate (from Brockport, not Buffalo State), the student experiences from that year were shared by college students across the country. It really was an astounding time to be on an American campus.

Don’t forget to RSVP for SIXTY NINE SEVENTY, which will take place Nov 18 at noon.