Nottage's LAS MENINAS Opens Tonight at Troutt Theatre

Jaclynn Jutting directs Belmont University's Department of Theatre and Dance's spring semester-opening production of Lynn Nottage's Las Meninas, a play they contend will "grab the attention of any audience member, of any background," opening tonight, February 19, at Belmont's Troutt Theatre.

Jutting, head of the Theatre Directing program at Belmont is directing this production of Las Meninas. In her second year teaching at Belmont, she is excited to present a show that is equal parts comedy and history. An active professional director, Jutting's Brontë is currently running at Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago.

"This show gives the chance to reimagine history and erase the feeling of being unwanted or looked past," says Jutting. Her hope is that this play will touch people who have felt excluded by sharing a story about others just like them.

Nottage's play follows the life of Marie-Therese, Queen of France, and her journey to discovering her self-worth. The Queen, played by sophomore theatre performance major Abby Evens, will be corseted up in traditional 1664 garb. Marie-Therese possesses the sassiness of a Spaniard, but the poise of a Frenchwoman (most of the time.)

Senior theatre performance major, Craig Fairbanks plays King Louis, Marie-Therese's husband in a role that also fulfills the senior capstone requirement for his BFA Theatre Performance degree.

The Department of Theatre and Dance also welcomes Julian Malone, a BFA Musical Theatre major, into this cast. Malone plays the role of Nabo Sensugali, an African dwarf that accompanies the Queen and entertains her court. Other cast members include Craig Fairbanks, Ara Vito, Kate Lackey, Nyazia Martin, Nick Russo, Drew Freeman, Josh Kiev, Joe Cash, Sofia Tosches, Taryn Haddix and Mckenzie Wilkes.

Las Meninas opens on Friday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont Troutt Theatre on Belmont Boulevard and runs until Saturday, February 27. Tickets are free for Belmont students/faculty, $10 for adults, and $5 for non-Belmont students. Tickets are available online or at the door. Call the Belmont University Box Office for ticket information at (615) 460-8500. Concessions will be served before the show and during intermission.

Las Meninas is not recommended for younger audiences. Running time: 90 minutes, with one 10-minute intermission.