MCC Theatre and film arts season preview
Copy Editor
The second half of the 2014-15 season for the MCC theatre and film arts department has already begun, with auditions for the first production of 2015 having taken place in December. Directed by David Vining, the play selected is “Beyond Therapy,” a comedic tale of a woman named Prudence who answers a personal ad, meeting a bizarre character by the name of Bruce.
“‘Beyond Therapy’ would have a ton of student appeal because it is just a wacky comedy,” said MCC theatre and film arts program director Kevin Dressler. “Right from the very first scene at the beginning of the play, almost with the very first lines, you know immediately they are not going to have a normal relationship.” The two of them are both in therapy, and it is the introduction of their respective therapists that drives the subsequent narrative.
“When their therapists get drawn into the story … it gets just that much more complicated and hilarious,” Dressler said. “You get to see Prudence and Bruce’s session with their therapists, and you know immediately that their therapists need therapy.” Dressler felt that the show has farcical elements, but follows an absurdist tradition. “The whole format is hilarious,” Dressler said.
MCC theatre and film arts program director Kara Thomson said that students working on the production will have a chance to work with professional designer Douglas Clarke, who will be designing with student assistance.“It’s been a long-standing, important feature for us; to have our students not only work with the faculty, but to include professionals in the industry,” Thomson said. “Douglas is doing the set, costumes, makeup and props.”
Photo courtesy of Douglas Clarke
Performances of the production will be shown on March 6, 7, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on March 7 and 14 at 2 p.m The production that will follow “Beyond Therapy” is the popular Pulitzer Prize winning, Tennessee Williams play “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”
Auditions for this James Rio directed production will be on Feb. 23 and 24 from 4 – 8 p.m. The play will showcase the work of students, and will be submitted to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. “It’s all student designed,” Thomson said. “We will produce what they want.” The play centers on the family of Big Daddy Pollitt, and the lies and secrets that they keep, both with and from each other.
There are themes of life and death throughout “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and the play provides characters with introspective moments to ruminate. The serious subject matter is dealt with thoughtfully and given the weight due to such topics in the play. “It is very well written,” Dressler said. “Scripts like that don’t get written every day.”
It is scheduled to be performed on May 1, 2, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on May 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. Those seeking tickets to either production can call the MCC Theatre box office at (480) 461-7172 or visit www.ezticketlive.com/mcc.
