Shakespeare's ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ at the Hett Nov. 5-8
10/23/2009
Lebanon, Ill. — The McKendree University Theater Department presents William Shakespeare’s early poetic comedy, “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Nov. 5 through 8. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 6 and 7, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Nov. 8 at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts at McKendree University in Lebanon. General admission seating is free. For information, call the Hett box office, 537-6863 or go online to www.thehett.com.
“We’ve put Shakespeare into modern dress to try to connect with a modern audience. I think the story is something people in 2009 can relate to. We’ve all at some point sworn off love to concentrate on something else and had life throw us a curve ball,” said Michelle Magnussen, director. “We’re really trying to make these characters and this story come to life as something relevant, not just something historical we’ve dug up and dusted off. People have bad experiences with Shakespeare and decide that they just don’t get it or that it’s too hard to understand. We’re trying to prove that it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Ferdinand, King of Navarre, opens the play by declaring that he and his lords have taken an oath of study that includes fasting, minimal sleep and—to avoid distraction—no women within a mile of the court. His noble companions agree, although one expresses reservations and reminds the king of a meeting that day with the Princess of France. As they set out to meet her, the king’s fool, Costard, is sent to Don Armado to receive punishment for breaking the king's commands with a country wench.
The Princess and her entourage are put off when denied entrance into the court and plot revenge against Ferdinand and his court. Meanwhile, Don Armado—who is in love with the wench—strikes a deal to let Costard off if he will deliver a letter to her. Before Costard can do so, the lord Berowne asks him to take a letter to the princess’s entourage. The plot thickens when the wrong letters are delivered to their intended recipients.
The play stars Ben Simon, a senior English major from Collinsville, as Ferdinand, King of Navarre; and Kristen Eckstadt, senior theater/English major from Hecker, as the Princess of France. The Lords of Navarre are played by Kyle Hintz, sophomore theater major from Breese, as Berowne; Matthew Valdez, sophomore interactive media major from New Baden, as Longaville; and Blake Clark-Hampleman, sophomore secondary education major from Herrin, as Dumaine. The Ladies of France are played by Libby Mowers, senior English major from Toulon, as Rosaline; and Victoria Peters, first-year sociology-criminal justice major from Staunton, as Maria.
Also in the cast are Shawn Printy, sophomore biology major from Chicago, as Boyet; Kaitie Kee, senior theater major from Johnston City, as Marcade; Alissa Miley, sophomore theater major, as Katherine; Dennis Bisto, senior theater major from Granite City, as Don Armado; Andrea Lynn Lewis, first-year secondary education major from O’Fallon, as Moth, page to Armado; Adam Schwind, senior elementary education major from Lebanon, as the clown Costard; Chelsea Arnold, sophomore art-design major from O’Fallon, as the country wench Jacquenetta; Danielle Larson, junior theater major from Springfield, as the curate Sir Nathaniel; Brad Gebben, sophomore religious studies major from Effingham, as schoolmaster Holofernes; Tia Turnipseed, first-year student, as Constable Dull; and Edward Gillman, senior theater major from Pinckneyville, as Forester.
Stage manager is Katherine Porter, a senior English major from Millstadt.
The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts—“The Hett”—is Southern Illinois’s premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat venue is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles from downtown St. Louis. www.theHett.com
-McK-
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