Sophomore Maddie Eberhard and senior Connor Bond rehearse a scene of the production "Present Laughter." The play will be performed Oct. 7-10 and 13-15 in the Mago Hunt Center Theater. (Alissa White -- The Beacon)
By Enid Spitz, Staff Writer -- spitz13@up.edu
Satire, seduction and Africa. Tonight, the UP Drama Department brings its first play of the year, " Present Laughter," to life in the Mago Hunt Theater.
Professor Ed Bowen is directing Noel Coward's semi-autobiographical satire, which was hailed by The New York Times as "sharp, withering and funny."
The play appealed to Bowen, in his 20th year of teaching at UP, for its wit and linguistic tricks.
"It's been four years since I last directed," Bowen said. "So it's fun to be back."
Garry Essendine, played by senior Connor Bond, is the play's main character, a self-centered comedic actor. After turning 40, he encounters a farcical series of events ranging from seduction to a mid-life crisis as he prepares for a trip to Africa.
Such well-known actors as Peter O'Toole and Ian McKellen have played Essendine since the play's first staging in 1942.
Now Bond joins their ranks, opening the show with a witty spin on the typical "please silence your cell phones" disclaimer and a few comedic solos, accompanied by sophomore Ben Gadbois on the grand piano. Bond continues to fuel the show as the cynical and dramatic Essendine.
"I actually recruited Connor to UP as a freshman," Bowen said. "It's a wonderful opportunity to come back and work with him as a senior now."
Rachel Thomas and Clarke Orr join Bond on stage as the Irish hired help, and Maddie Eberhard is Essendine's trusty secretary, Monica. Other cast members include Kimo Camat, Alex Kirby, Patrick Gorski and Breighley Sexton. Jamie Grant, Jessica Hillenbrand and Danielle Larson play Essendine's female conquests.
The entire cast speaks with accents throughout "Present Laughter," bringing the quick-witted British comedy to life on set designer Larry Larson's incredibly lifelike stage. A workshop taught by UP professor and language coach Mindi Logan helped the actors learn the linguistic nuances of the play.
The cast's experience is a wonderful asset according to Bowen, who explained that freshmen are not cast in the first production of the year.
"We have a number of upperclassmen," Bowen said. "The cast has been committed and wonderful to work with."
Tonight's opening will complete the cast's long weeks of preparation. The Performing and Fine Arts Department began work on the play on Sept. 5. Now, with Bowen back in the director's chair for " Present Laughter," UP will begin the first of four plays scheduled for the Mago Hunt Theater this semester.
