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UW-Stevens
Point news release News Services, Stevens Point WI 54481-3897 Phone: 715-346-3046 Fax: 715-346-2042 E-mail: news@uwsp.edu www.uwsp.edu/news Back to News releases | News release archive | UWSP Home Released:
Feb. 3, 2003 |
Shakespeare�s �Two Gentlemen of Verona� coming to UWSP
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Shakespeare takes a twist into the fabulous fifties in an adaptation of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Feb. 21-23 and Feb. 27-March 1. Adapted for the UWSP stage and directed by Assistant Professor Steve Trovillion Smith, the romantic comedy takes the title characters from the small town America in Verona, Wis., to another side of life in Milan, Calif. One of Shakespeare�s early plays, it portrays a test of friendship between two young men and the loyalty of two young women while providing misadventure in the form of assumed identities, foolish characters and one badly-behaved dog. |
Performances will be held in Jenkins Theatre in the Fine Arts Center at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21; at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. The production will continue at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 27-March 1.
Tickets are $11 for the general public, $10 for senior citizens and $6.50 for youth. Students with a UWSP ID may purchase tickets for $3 in advance or get free tickets on the day of the show if seats are available. Tickets may be purchased at the University Box Office in Room 103A of the University Center or by calling (715) 346-4100 or (800) 838-3378. Visa, MasterCard or Discover cards are accepted. Tickets may be available at the door if not sold out in advance.
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Smith adapted the play for the 50s to make it more accessible to today�s
audience, he said, setting it closer in time and place to where we live while
putting the characters into "an innocent and idealistic time in
America."
"The play is about what we do for love," says Smith. As it begins, Valentine, played by Ryan Reilly, Oak Lawn, Ill., leaves Verona to attend college in Milan. He also leaves behind his longtime friend, Proteus, played by Andrew Cao, Green Bay, who stays to be with his girlfriend, Julia, played by Susan Maris, Shorewood. |
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Proteus� father Antonio (Aaron Sowma, Kenosha) insists his son seek adventure away from home and sends him to join Valentine in California. In Milan, Valentine introduces Sylvia (Courtney Jones, Racine), the girl he loves, to Proteus, who wants her for himself despite his promise of love to Julia. While competing for Sylvia, the two suitors involve her father, The Duke (Derrick Gaetke, Wisconsin Rapids) and another suitor (Steve Cashdollar, Kenosha).
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Meanwhile, Julia has set out to find Proteus, traveling to Milan disguised as
a boy to protect herself on the way. The misadventures continue when The Duke
sends Valentine into hiding and the characters come together to discover just
what they will do for love and friendship. The strength of Shakespeare�s plays is its beautiful language, said Smith, so little of that was changed. He did adapt the roles of two servants, making them friends of Valentine and Proteus. He also added some 50s atmosphere by placing action in a club where beatniks perform, remaking the Duke of Milan as a mob persona called "The Duke," and including a motorcycle gang called The Outlaws. Rock and roll classics from the 50s will help set the tone during set changes. |
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Set designer Stephen Sherwin, UWSP professor of theatre arts, is using a collection of paintings, photographs and video to create projections that will set locations, such as a dorm room, club and deserted road, as well as comment on the action. A good portion of the scenes will take place at a poolside patio at The Duke�s lavish home in Milan.
Costume designer Samantha Fromm, Milwaukee, had more of a challenge dressing the characters in 50s clothing than if they were dressed in 17th Century attire, said Smith, as each of their personalities needed to be reflected in clothing such as letter sweaters and poodle skirts.
"As a comedy, "Two Gents" gave me a chance to play with stereotypes of the time," said Fromm. "There is the heart throb, the dream girl, the biker, the God father, the �square', the bobby soxer, the beatnik... Most of the costumes are authentic 50's garb."
Additional members of the crew include Laura Rogers, Fort Atkinson, stage manager; Tony Galaska, Menomonee Falls, lighting designer; Lori Koeller, Appleton, and Byron DeMent, Folsom, Calif., properties designers; Curt Nummerdor, Waupun, sound designer; and Kelly Ryder, Menasha, house manager.
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