Tuesday, April 04, 2006
"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" is "a real USI show"
 Evansville Civic Theatre’s new managing artistic director, C. Lynn Kinkade, is calling the theater’s latest production “a real USI show!” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” which opens Friday, April 7, is directed by Nick Faust, USI instructor in theatre and Civic’s interim director, and features Ben Weber, a freshman broadcasting major, in several roles. Dustin Held, a junior theatre major, collaborated with Faust on the set and light design as part of an independent study for Dr. Doug Hubbell, associate professor of theatre.London's longest-running comedy, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through all 37 of the Bard’s plays in 97 minutes. Weber appeared in the Civic productions of “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” and “Robin Hood,” and performed in plays at Mater Dei High School. He plays 10 to 15 roles in “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged),” including Romeo, Julius Caesar, and a witch in “Macbeth.” He and two other actors, both Signature School students, are constantly on stage. “There are costume changes, but they are very quick,” he said. “We run off stage and are back on in seconds.” He said the acting style for the play is “Shakespearian with a little bit of a twist. Most of it is sort of twisted.” Held was tapped by Elliot Wasserman, USI director of theatre, when Civic requested a USI theatre student to help out with design. He created the lighting design for USI Theatre’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” and for productions at Terre Haute North High School. His light design for “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” includes more than 150 cues within the first act. “The action is very fast, and it changes quickly. The lighting accommodates almost every change,” he said. Of the set design, he said, “The idea is basically that these guys are throwing this thing together, so we used mostly found objects. The only theatrical element is a backdrop with famous and obscure lines of Shakespeare.” Through the independent study, a USI student will have the opportunity to work on design for one Civic production per season. “This will open the gate for more design opportunities for USI students at Civic,” he said. “It gives USI students more opportunities, and it definitely has done that for me, because I didn’t get to do a design or layout for USI Theatre this year.” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” will play at 8 p.m. April 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, with 2 p.m. matinees on April 9 and 23 at the theater, at 717 North Fulton Avenue. Tickets are $17 for adults; $16 for seniors; and $12 for youths and teens. For tickets or more information, call 812/425-2800. |
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