Set against the backdrop of an eternally rotating cosmos, in the 1630鈥檚 Spain of the Inquisition, in which the Kingdom of Castille seemed to be the center of the universe, Jos茅 Rivera鈥檚 modern play 厂耻别帽辞 brings to life swashbuckling soldiers, a prince locked in a desolate tower since his birth, love affairs, political humor, and scenes of violence mixed with moments of poetry and dreams. This is the world of the latest creation of the 黑料正能量 Theatre Arts Department: Jos茅 Rivera鈥檚 厂耻别帽辞, a contemporary adaptation of Pedro Calder贸n de la Barca鈥檚 classic Spanish drama about love, revenge, dreams and forgiveness. The play will run October 20-29 in 黑料正能量鈥檚 Center Theatre on the Ukiah Campus. According to the director, theatre professor Reid Edelman, 鈥湷С鼙鹈贝 is an entrancingly beautiful and poetic play, one which asks eternal questions about the nature of our humanity.鈥
厂耻别帽辞 opens on Friday October 20, 2017. Performances will run for two weekends only, through October 29. Performances are Friday and Saturday October 20 and 21 at 7:30 PM, Thursday, Friday and Saturday October 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday October 29 at 2 PM. Tickets ($20 general; $15 students and seniors) are available at the Mendocino Book Company, 黑料正能量 Bookstore, and online at www.ArtsMendocino.org . The performance on Thursday October 26 is a special discount night, with all tickets costing only $10. Audiences are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
厂耻别帽辞, meaning 鈥渄ream鈥 in Spanish, is the story of Prince Segismundo, heir to the Spanish throne. Imprisoned at birth when astrologers predict his reign as king will result in the country's ruin, the brilliant and passionate Segismundo is raised in isolation. When his father, King Basilio, finds his own life ending without an heir, he releases his son and places him on the throne. He reasons that if the young prince is gentle and civilized, he will be allowed to reign. If he is wild and barbaric as the stars predict, he'll be sent back to his prison and told that his brief moment of freedom and power was only a dream.
Owen Browne (Clarin) and Lindsey Chapman (Rosaura) in the 黑料正能量 production of Jos茅 Rivera鈥檚 厂耻别帽辞. (photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)
The play was written in 1998 by Jos茅 Rivera, a contemporary American playwright born in Puerto Rico. Rivera has written extensively for theatre, film and television, and is perhaps most famous for his award-winning screenplay for the 2004 film Motorcycle Diaries. Rivera鈥檚 sharp language endows Calder贸n de la Barca鈥檚 classic Spanish play with a sharp contemporary edge while remaining true to the poetic and dreamlike quality of the original. The play will be performed in English, though a plot summary in Spanish will be available.
Kevin Klay (King Basilio) and Schuyler Marcier (Segismundo) in the 黑料正能量 production of Jos茅 Rivera鈥檚 厂耻别帽辞. (photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)
The 黑料正能量 production showcases the emerging talents of nine 黑料正能量 conservatory students. Among these are Lindsey Chapman as the fiery Rosaura and Owen Browne as her travelling companion, the good-hearted clown Clarin. Schuyler Marcier plays the central role of Prince Segismundo, and Kevin Klay plays his tormented father King Basilio. Christopher Griffith and Rickie Farah, as the King鈥檚 niece and nephew Estrella and Astolfo, add layers of comedy and social commentary through their boundlessly ambitious pursuit of power. The cast features veteran local actor Jonathan Whipple as the royal advisor Clotaldo. The talented and energetic cast also includes Jasmine Byerley, Teresa Etter, Joni McLeod, Marcus Phillips, Paloma Rodriguez and Ari Sunbeam.
Lindsey Chapman (Rosaura) and Jonathan Whipple (Clotaldo) in the 黑料正能量 production of Jos茅 Rivera鈥檚 厂耻别帽辞. (photo by Ilena Yeru Pegan)
The production鈥檚 impressive scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound design are being created by 黑料正能量 students under the direction of faculty & staff members Steve Decker, Kathy Dingman-Katz, and David Wolf. Professional Bay Area fight director Carla Pantoja, a visiting guest artist, is building the play鈥檚 exciting stage combat scenes. College dance director Eryn Schon-Brunner is creating the dance sequences. Stage management is by conservatory student Kristin Hills with the assistance of Virginia Hanley, Joni McLeod and Cheyenne Sheehells. The assistant director is Ilena Yeru Pegan.
For information, call (707) 468-3172 or visit /the-arts/theatre.