Shakespeare comedy closes theatre season
April 3, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- William Shakespeare's "Love's Labour's Lost"
is the final production of the
2000-01 University Theatre season. Performances are at 8 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, April 5-7, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April
8, in Laura V. Shaw Theatre.
"Love's Labour's Lost" unveils what happens when a young king and his attendants swear an oath to concentrate only on academic studies for three years, but end up looking for a way around their promise when a beautiful French princess and her attendants arrive. Love leads the men to do everything but concentrate on academic studies.
Ticket for "Love's Labour's Lost" are $14 for adults, $10 for seniors and WMU faculty/staff, and $5 for students. For tickets, call the Gilmore Theatre Complex at 616 387-6222.
A "First Nighter's Reception" sponsored by Gull Lake Cafe will be held following the Thursday, April 5 performance. A sign language interpreted performance will be held Friday, April 6.
Director Brigitte Jaques is a guest artist from France who has traveled many times back and forth to familiarize herself with the school and the students, for casting, and for rehearsals. Brigitte is also teaching two classes -- one on French Classicism, the other on Shakespeare -- while rehearsing "Love's Labour's Lost."
Through teaching the course, other students outside of her cast had the opportunity to work with her and benefit from her knowledge on French literature and acting styles. Jaques also brought along with her an assistant director, Doris Mirescu, to help with the language differences. Mirescu, originally from Romania and educated in France, received her master's degree in directing from Columbia University in the United States.
In order to better undestand the text and communicate its ideas to the audience, the cast began by learning more about Shakespeare and his writing style. After going through the script page by page and analyzing every word, the cast was ready to get on their feet. Jaques staged the play in small sections at a time, carefully going over the work with the actors to make sure everyone was clear on the play's intent.
"Working with Brigitte has been a unique experience," says Stephen Kadwell, assistant stage manager. "It has not only been a theatrical experience, but a cultural experience as well."
The University Theatre production features junior Jonathen Rincon as the King, junior Kristina Bird as the Princess, senior Joe Paulik as Berowne, senior Anjanette Hall as Rosaline and sophomore Andrew Luther as Armado. Other cast members include Billy Bradley, Mia Gauci, Rebecca Jones, Bryan Kelly, Ross Kidder, Nick Konow, Mathew Leland, Valerie Lonigro, Michael Martin, Mickey Solis and James Warfield. Faculty member Von Washington rounds out the ensemble as Boyet.
A number of talented student designers also help to bring this story to the stage. Alexandre Corrazola (scenic design), Renee Bell (costume design) and Andrew Nagel (sound design). Guest lighting designer David Jacques will soon arrive from California State University, Long Beach to illuminate the stage.
Media contact: Shauna Thieman, 616 387-6222, shauna.thieman@wmich.edu