Mount Union College - Unonian Yearbook (Alliance, OH)

Page 30 text:

THE IMPORTANCE ‘ote BEING ERNEST by Oscar Wilde THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST was billed as ‘a trivial comedy for serious people’. The show takes place in England and pokes fun at the upper class. Ernest is the non-existant brother of a country gentleman, John Worthing, who uses his brother to get away from country life. In town he uses the name of Ernest. Alger- non Montcrieff, a friend of John’s, stumbles onto his secret and also uses the name of Ernest when he goes to visit John. All of this nameplay is done to woo two women, both of whom want to marry a man named Ernest. In a confrontation between the two girls they discover that they are both engaged to marry an Ernest Worthing, whom they believe to be the same person. Every- thing works out for the couples after situations are explained. Characters are as follows: Lane (Rob Quel), Al- gernon Montcrieff (Shawn Taylor Douglass), John Worthing (Bob Murrell , Lady Bracknell (Margaret Schiemer), Gwendo- len Fairfax (Whitney Thomas), Cecily Cardew (Mimi Heggestad), Miss Prism (Laura Walsh), Rev. Canon Chausible (Mike Exley), and Merrt- man (Chet Douglass). The play was directed by Douglas F. Hendel, Beth Evans stage managed. Performances were October 11-13 1984.

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DUTCIDEFIN BREA T by Sam Shepard SUICIDE IN B FLAT is a non-realistic play which combines the act of suicide with the concept of a musical composition. The play featured Michael Exley as Pablo, Tim Evans as Louis, Shawn Douglass as Petrone, Betsy Kinney as Laureen, Mary Ann Draves as Paullette, Brian Sheetz as Niles, and Bryant Birr as the piano player. The play was directed by Douglas E. Hendel with Debbie Gow stage- managing. THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND by Tom Stoppard THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND satirizes the Drawing room murder myster- ies of Agatha Christie and others. The cast included Tim Evans as Birdboot, Shawn Douglass as Noon, Jodi Maile as Mrs. Drudge, Bob Murrell as Simon, Laura Walsh as Felicity, Nancy McLoone as Cynthia, Brian Skidmore as Magnus, Brian Sheetz as Inspector Hound and Bryant Birr as Higgs. It was directed by Douglas E. Hendel with Stan Trogani stage managing. ‘Hound’ and ‘Suicide’ were performed April 12-14, 1984.

Page 31 text:

CANDIDE adapted by James E. Vincent CANDIDE was a chamber theater adaptation of Vol- taire’s novel. The story was told by narration, as well as shown through action. All of the actors played more than one character, most played three or four different roles. The play was very much an ensemble show which made the audience use their imaginations. Various sec- tions of the play were set all over the world. From Germany to South America to ElDorado to Turkey. The play required a lot of hard work and physical prowess of the actors. Cast members include Melinda Detrick, Anita Drda, Chester Douglass, Shawn Taylor Douglass, Tim Evans, Mike Exley, Megan Graham, Dana Ivory, Jodi Maile, Nancy McLoone, Allison Smith, and Jean Zurbrugg. Candide was directed by James E. Vincent, Technical Direction by Douglas G. Hendel, stage manager Bob Murrell. The play was performed February 21-23 1985. CANDIDE wasn't the only experimental presentation this season. The Speech and Theatre Arts Department presented THE GYRE OF THE SLIVEY TOVES as an evening program and a convocation. The presenta- tion combined a new slide system with music, poetry, and stories. Performers included Jan Horning, William E. Coleman, Douglas Hendel, Martin Horning, and James E. Vincent. With technical assistance by Bryant Birr, Shawn Douglass, Mike Exley, Jodi Maile, Nancy McLoone and Andy Mudd.