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EVENT DETAILS |
University Theatre's "Blood Wedding"
Theater and Dance
A couple attempts to balance societal & familial expectations, 11/12-12/5, Hemsley Theatre, UW Vilas Hall, showing 7:30 pm Thursdays-Saturdays (no shows 11/26-28), plus 2 pm, 11/22. $20-$14. 265-2787
When: Daily until 11/14/09
Cost: $20-$14
Call: 265-2787
Web: www.utmadison.com
More Information:
University Theatre showcases new acting class in Blood Wedding
University Theatre ends the first half of it’s 2009-10 season with a passionate story of desire, repression, and ritual written by one of the greatest Spanish playwrights and poets of the 20th century. Federico Garcia Lorca’s Blood Wedding plays in University Theatre’s intimate Hemsley Theatre from November 13 through December 5, 2009.
Federico Garcia Lorca wrote the tragic Blood Wedding in 1932, and it was first performed in
Madrid a year later. Lorca built the play from a newspaper fragment that told of a family vendetta and a bride who ran away with an enemy family. Like many of Lorca’s plays and poetry, the story is filled with symbolism and explores the constraints and commitments imposed by rural Spanish traditions.
Director Norma Saldivar draws from her Hispanic heritage to give this production suitable Spanish flare complete with traditional flamenco-inspired dance. The production will also feature original music composed by guest artist Joe Cerqua. His task was to use customary Spanish sounds to
create a haunting and melodic feel infused with percussion reminiscent of a heartbeat. “Joe’s original music will be used to highlight the passionate highs and lows of these very complex characters” explains Saldivar.
Although many traditional elements are incorporated, you won’t see any rolling foothills of the Spanish countryside on this stage. This version, translated by Lillian Groag, gives way to an abstract interpretation, whereas other translations have leaned toward more melodramatic interpretations. With a purposefully minimal set containing only a high-gloss stage floor and various sized blank canvases, MFA lighting design student Katie Kudrick has a hefty job using light and color to create the different environments. “The flexibility that is inherent in a minimal set design affords me the opportunity to work with the director to make the decisions of how we will communicate specific locations in the play,” explains Kudrick. “There is also an exciting technical challenge for me -- due to the glossy floor, I must consider what angles will cause bounces of light to hit the walls. The incorrect angles can wash out any color I put on them and that will, obviously, affect the audience’s perception.”
The production will also mark the first production for the new class of MFA acting students. These ten students, selected from auditions held across the country, have come to study with UW’s talented acting faculty and hone their craft. They’ll enjoy extra time during the rehearsal process with voice and speech professor, Susan Sweeney, who plays “Mother” in the production. Other guests working on the show include choreographer Chris Walker, a professor in the UW dance program and
David Daniels, an actor and fight director from APT, who is choreographing the fight sequences.
Blood Wedding will run Thursdays through Sundays, November 13 – December 5, and one
Wednesday performance December 2. There is a pre-performance lecture on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m. featuring Professor Kata Beilin of the UW’s Spanish and Portuguese Department and a post-performance discussion with the actors on Thursday, December 3.. Performances are in the Hemsley Theatre, 821 University Avenue. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and matinees begin at 2 p.m. Individual tickets for all performances are $20 general public or $14 for UW students. Discounts are available for senior citizens, and Friends of University Theatre.
Purchase tickets by phone at (608) 265- ARTS (2787), in person at the Vilas Hall Box Office,
821 University Ave., the Wisconsin Union Box Office, 800 Langdon St., or order on-line; buy tickets and view the calendar at www.utmadison.com.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday November 12 7:30 pm (preview)
Friday November 13 7:30 pm (opening)
Saturday November 14 7:30 pm
Thursday November 19 7:30 pm (pre-performance lecture at 6:30 pm)
Friday November 20 7:30 pm
Saturday November 21 7:30 pm
Sunday November 22 2:00 pm
No performances the week of Thanksgiving
Wednesday December 2 7:30pm
Thursday December 3 7:30 pm (post performance talk-back)
Friday December 4 7:30 pm
Saturday December 5 7:30 pm
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