By Don Weber
The CCSU theatre department has been running through 16 Shows in 16 Weeks, a program title most suitable to their performances this fall. Professors and students alike have taken the helm at performing various shows so far.
This past Friday the department performed 30 Minutes of Old-Fashioned Russian Laughter, which consisted of two works, Swan Song and Drowning. Each segment was very different and portrayed in its own light. Both plays were written by Anton Chekhov, and contain humor worthy of both adults’ and children’s laughter.
Swan Song focuses on an old comedian Vasily Svetlovidov, played by Professor Thom Delventhal, who reminisces of his younger years before being reassured by a prompter friend Nikita Ivanish (Professor Josh Perlstein). Svetlovidov has a vivid, outlandish personality which hasn’t left him over the years while Nikita balances Vasily’s energy with the imaginable tired enthusiasm of an old prompter trying to sleep.
Drowning is unique in the sense that the two professors acting are now joined by co-director Professor Ken Mooney and the three recite their performances to the audience. Drowning touches on a more dramatic take on love, both fresh and old.
On Saturday November 7, the students took their turn at performing an original work, Early Stages. Early Stages is a show for younger audiences but could easily be nostalgic to adults, young and old. It plays on the twists of dreams and nightmares treading on the connection between the two. Slightly abstract, the play’s set was well designed and the costumes were fantastic.
The play revolved around a young girl who plays with her toys through dreams before being challenged by nightmares. The play is similar to the realities of dreams and nightmares as they must all come to an end.
Both performances were very well done and displayed the passion for theatre at CCSU. The students and professors clearly spent time working hard on their performances and certainly do the school and program justice.
The 16 Shows in 16 Weeks series continues through December, with upcoming performances like The Unseen and Feeding the Moonfish this Thursday at 5 p.m. and Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. In addition, Cirque du Fantasia will be performed the following week at the same times in Torp Theatre.
These shows by Second Stage Productions are all free and well worth the time. Most are short and won’t exceed an hour. Remember to keep your eyes open for the performances this fall. It’s a good way to support your fellow students and professors and a good way to give yourself some added entertainment.
