Photo Flash: MCCC Theatre Students Present PEER GYNT
In their second drama of the fall semester, Theatre students from Mercer County Community College present a thoroughly modern version of an Henrik Ibsen classic. "Peer Gynt in Process: Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt Remixed and Remade" will be performed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Studio Theatre on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. (The Studio Theatre is located next to Kelsey Theatre.)
This collaborative effort is set in a disco and features both actors and dancers who will perform in varying styles. Theatre Program Coordinator Jody Person describes Peer Gynt as Ibsen's most romantic play. "It's a bittersweet Godiva chocolate with raspberry filling," Person says. The plot centers on Peer's quest to find himself, a journey that takes him around the world and even to a fantasy world populated by trolls. Starting out in his youth, he comes home an old man, questioning what good he has done in the world. In the end he is redeemed by the love of the woman who has patiently waited for his return. The play ends on an optimistic note, leaving the audience to contemplate Peer Gynt at yet another crossroad.
Person notes that the show is highly entertaining, theatrical and imaginative, with a script that has been pared down to 90 minutes from the usual four hours. "Students have boiled it down to its essence," he said, noting that the story line is enhanced by lyrics of selected songs and video footage filmed by MCCC Television students. "There are three layers of meaning - the script, song lyrics, and video images, which will serve as the scenery," Person explained.The cast includes: Allie Abraham of Hamilton, Leah Alabre of Ewing Township, Richelle Leigh Bodensiek of Skillman, Hanna Bruslan of South Brunswick, Charlene D. Jamison of Ewing, Elisa Rose Jankoski of Princeton Junction, Daniel Lownie of Hopewell, Patrick McKenna of West Windsor, Karen P. Mejia of Trenton, Mark J. Naprawa of Trenton, Michael Quesada of Hamilton, David M. Walter of Allentown, Scott Ivan Walters of Lakewood, and Kyra Willans of West Windsor.
Direction and choreography is by Person in collaboration with Theatre students, with additional choreography by Patricia Barthelemy and stage manager Jael Atchison. The crew also includes costume designer Katie Horahan and videographer Tyann Sells. The sets have been designed and built by students studying stagecraft with faculty member Kate Pinner. Entertainment Technology students have designed lighting and sound, including Sean Varga as lighting programmer and board operator, Max Nagy as lighting designer, Fredy Barrientos as sound designer and DJ, and Joshua Bayne-Clarke as sound assistant.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased by calling MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online at www.kelseytheatre.net.
Richelle Leigh Bodensiek and Elisa Rose Jankoski
Charlene D. Jamison, Mark J. Naprawa, Kyra Willans, Leah Alabre, David M. Walter, and Richelle Leigh Bodensiek
|
Discover Rachmaninoff New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1/23-1/23) |
|
Matilda Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center (6/25-6/27) |
|
Carla Cook Morris Museum (8/20-8/20) |
|
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini New Jersey Performing Arts Center (1/22-1/22) |
|
Mozart & Ravel Mayo Performing Arts Center (1/10-1/10) |
|
Kalamazoo Robert Shackleton Playhouse (7/15-8/23) |
|
Grease Center Drama (8/13-8/23) |
|
Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances New Jersey Performing Arts Center (11/22-11/22) |
|
A Doll's House Part 2 Nutley Little Theatre (9/11-9/26) |
|
Neruda Songs and Poulenc's Gloria State Theatre New Jersey (4/18-4/18) |