‘Search’ begins soon at Price Theater
March 12, 2007
It includes humor, intrigue and more than a few surprises, but the upcoming College play “Six Characters in Search of an Author” may well be different from any other stage production you’ve seen, according to its director.
“It’s unlike any other play,” says director Kim Barber, Chair and Associate Professor of Theatre Arts. “If people love the theater, they will appreciate this play. It celebrates the magic of creativity and explores what drives us to fulfill certain things in our lives.”
Written by Nobel laureate Luigi Pirandello, the production is actually a play within a play. It begins in the middle of a rehearsal when six characters, abandoned by their playwright, arrive at a theater searching for a writer to finish their story. The Manager assumes they are presenting themselves as actors, but soon discovers that things aren’t what they appear.
“I’ve always wanted to direct this play,” Barber says, and she’s finally getting her chance with this production that opens on Thursday, March 22. To complete her calling, she has cast a diverse group that features two faculty members; 11 theatre arts majors; students majoring in biology, music and chemistry; two Panther football players; and three local performers, including two children.
The play is rewarding for even seasoned performers, explains Dr. Steven Earl-Edwards, Associate Professor Theatre Arts, who plays the Father. “It’s fun to be able to grab ahold of something that’s got so many layers,” he says. “There is a lot of unraveling that’s done as the story progresses.”
He warns the audience to expect a few surprises.
According to Barber, those surprises will likely begin as soon as patrons arrive in the theater. She promises an unconventional set designed by Assistant Professor Nate Tomsheck, and period 1920s costumes designed by guest artist and costume designer Alan Yeong from the State University of West Georgia.
The show runs at Price Theater from March 22 – 25 and 28 – 30, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Note that the play closes the Friday night before Spring Break.
The cast includes Dr. Edwards as the Father, Molly Fitzsimmons as the Mother, Julia Jones as the Stepdaughter, Joel Coady as the Son, Professor Laine Scott as Madame Pacé, Will Veon as the Boy, Colleen Riggs as the Child, Caitlin Bruggeman as the Manager, Whittney Millsap as the Leading Lady and Scottie Knollin as the Leading Man.
For more information or tickets, call the box office beginning March 14 on weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. at (706) 880-8080. You can also email the box office at priceboxoffice@lagrange.edu.
