91探花鈥檚 fall performing arts schedule features a scandalous trickster, the origin story for a beloved character, and a family comedy that mines the depths of dissatisfaction. First on the schedule is Moli猫re鈥檚 Tartuffe, a 17th-century comedy about a charlatan who fools gullible members of a family into trusting him with charm and false claims of piety. Director and performing arts department chair Peter Parisi chose an English translation that matches the original French play鈥檚 rhyming-couplet structure.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been doing musicals for the last several years, so we鈥檙e mixing it up,鈥 says Peter, who notes that even those who are unfamiliar with Tartuffe will recognize and understand some familiar themes. 鈥淭here are a lot of elements that make this a very timely choice.鈥 Most of the 16 students involved in the production, who will work in period dress on a period set, have performed before, either at 91探花 or elsewhere.
Next, the Class IV play, Peter and the Starcatcher, features an ensemble cast, who unravel the back story of Peter Pan and Neverland. The play, directed by performing arts faculty member Eleza Moyer, is a 鈥渂ig production鈥 filled with magic and humor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really beautiful script. It鈥檚 funny, it鈥檚 poignant, full of nostalgia and wit,鈥 Eleza says. 鈥淭his cast has been doing a great job. We have a phenomenal group this year.鈥 The Class IV play is a long-standing performing arts tradition involving the entire class. Approximately 30 students will comprise the on-stage cast; students who are not on stage contribute to other parts of the production.
Rounding out the fall schedule is this year鈥檚 1212 play, Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike. Written by Christopher Durang, the comedy is a nod to Anton Chekhov and features three siblings coping with the challenges of getting older. The six student cast members are Nick Gistis (III), Matthew Tyler (II), Abigail Foster (III), Clara Wolff (III), Charlotte Moremen (III) and Emma James (II). Evan Jenness (II) is the stage manager and performing arts faculty member Shane Fuller is directing. 鈥淭here are a lot of emotional layers to these characters,鈥 says Abigail. 鈥淲e all put a lot of thought into understanding our characters. They鈥檙e surprisingly complex.鈥 The 1212 play is a 91探花 tradition featuring intimate productions with small casts and challenging material.
Tartuffe begins Thursday, November 3, and Friday, November 4, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 5, at 7 p.m.
Peter and the Starcatcher begins Thursday, November 17, and Friday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 19 at 7 p.m.
Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike begins Thursday, December 1, and Friday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 3 at 7 p.m.
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