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Show ID oc T t v G 3 1 5 3 o 0 t -A' . " - . . , .. 'i I ;. ::.,,;:,,.S ' " ;', i ' ".-A ' ' ;" . ., .-.--. ' 2 , r i 1 i .frr''--'-"-" , , ; V. i i vrivv uYi.mnft nnniliffi1iflift.ifrfrnWi.iTffnfr.fm if nt, I -; i ' t ; ; i v k ?i Drama if-1 '9 . ' I - I - v I , ' - rt , ; I5 r c , -.it- ' DRACULA was offered for Halloween entertainment by the WSC Department of Theatre Arts last October. Brian West portrayed the elusive Count, and Susan Seifert presented herself delectably as his lover, Lucy. Photo: Kurt Kley) LEGO LOUIS and Karen Nielsen gave delightful leading performances in the recent light comedy Harvey. The production was altered slightly to present the play iti an Ogden, Utah setting, spotlighting local humor which created added interest. r ' ' '' Text: Leona Vandre It seems fitting that Weber State Theatre's season should close with God's Favorite since all the rest of us had had ours in this the "Season of Favorites." The classics ranged from the Bard's The Merchant of Venice to Mary Chase's Harvey, with Dracula offering moments of chilling reality. Timmon's Retreat was a world premiere performance, needing only time to develop a "classic" rating. The mainstage season opened with the vampire melodrama Dracula, written by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, just in time for Halloween. Director Larry L. West described the play as a conflict between the light and dark sides of human nature. Brian West starred as the Count. Susan Seifert was his mistress and victim Lucy, Karen Nielsen played Abigail Van Helsing, a woman out to destroy the vampire. The production was filled with technical wizardry, including the appearance and disappearance of Dracula, engineered by technical director Tim Stettler and his crew. The special effects had audiences marvelling at the "magic." With sets designed by Michael Gallagher, costumes by J.A. Hanson and lighting by Scott L. Jensen, Weber State Theatre's Dracula was a classy production of a "classic." The season continued with Timmon's Retreat, an original production written by William Waxman. The play was Weber State College's entry in the American College Theatre Festival. February belonged to the merchant, the moneylender and the maidens. Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, directed by Larry L. West ran for seven performances between Feb. 20 and March 1. The production was lauded by the reviewer, Marjorie Hilton: "Brian West's Shylock sensitively balanced fidelity to the play's crafty scoundrel and the subtle indignity and victimization of human predicament." "Sharon Rowlette's Portia was delivered with verve, and her responses to the comic suitors displayed an appealing ambiguity." "Rick Hamblin delivered a handsome and sensitive Bassanio who carried his gorgeous costumes with regal elegance." "Janette Reimschussel and Michael Trujillo's balcony scene was sensual, lyrical and charming." "Karen Nielsen gave her usual standout performance as Nerissa." The multi-level, muted-colored set was designed by Michael Gallagher and described as "stunning" by the reviewer. Hilton called J.A. Hanson's neo-classic costumes "elegant." The invisible rabbit made an "appearance" in April when the Weber Slate Theatre presented Mary Chase's light-hearted satire Harvey, directed by Dr. Ronald Ladwig, chairman of the theatre arts department. Lego Louis played Elwood P. Dowd with Karen Nielsen as his sister Veta and Janette Reimschussel as Myrtle Mae, Veta's daughter. M. Kaylene Astin appeared as Nurse Kelly, L.L. West was Dr. Chumley, Michael Jorgenson played Duane Wilson, the sanitarium attendant. "If you enjoy delightful comedy, an interesting story and good student acting, be sure to see Harvey," said Dr. Leland A. Walser, chair of the Department of Foreign Languages at WSC who reviewed the play. "Definitely an evening to be enjoyed by all," he said. Brian West changed hats tor Vanities. The student actor directed the bittersweet comedy about the friendship of three girls from high school through their post college years. The production was under the complete control of the Associated Actors and Technicians of Weber State College who budgeted it, cast it, designed it and ran it. Pamela Budge, Jennifer Rothey and M. Kaylene Astin starred in the play which ran March 13-15 in the Monson Theatre. The Pioneer State Theatre's touring production of Talley's Folly opened in the Allred Theatre on March 19 for four nights. Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play concerns the courtship of Sally Talley, a 31-year-old spinster, and Matt Friedman, a 42-year-old Jewish accountant. Orchesis Dance Theatre and the Weber State Theatre collaborated to present a production of music, movement and the spoken word May 1-3 in the Allred. The final performances of the 1985-86 Showcase Season featured students once again in charge, but directing this time. The advanced directing students produced a variety of entertaining one-act plays in "A One-Act Play Festival," June 2-7 in the Monson Theatre. God's Favorite was saved for last. The season wrap-up was a comedy by Neil Simon based on the Biblical story of Job. Joe Benjamin (Keith Stapp) receives a message from God via heavenly messenger Sidney Lipton (Darren Ewing). Benjamin's faith is tested and he survives his fate with the help of his son David (Val Cannon). Marilyn Mills played Rose, Benjamin's wife. The play was directed by Tim Stettler in his directorial debut at Weber State College. In addition to the five plays presented as the Mainstage Season in the Allred Theatre, there were six Showcase productions. The University of Utah touring company production of Agamemnon was presented in the Austad Auditorium on Oct. 9. In keeping with the tradition of ancient Greek theater, the tragedy, written by Aeschylus in 458 B.C., was performed by an all male cast. Even the women's roles, the most famous being Clytemnestra, were performed by male actors. Minimal lighting and no sound amplification added to the authenticity of the production. "Actor's Showcase" played the Monson Theatre, Nov. 14-16. It featured scenes from several plays performed by the student actors of WSC. This was an opportunity for students to experience and perform in a variety of roles not available through the regular schedule of productions. |