Theater ends with Shakespeare

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ESU Media Relations

Originally published 02:08 p.m., April 3, 2008
Updated 02:08 p.m., April 3, 2008

Emporia State University Theatre closes its 2007-2008 season with Ken Ludwig’s award-winning comedy, Shakespeare in Hollywood.

The production will be presented in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall, April 30 through May 3. The play received the Helen Hayes Award for best new American play in 2003.

Shakespeare in Hollywood is set in 1934. Shakespeare’s most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, have magically materialized on the Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Instantly smitten by the glitz and glamour of show biz, the two are ushered onto the silver screen to play (who else?) themselves. With a little help from a feisty flower, blonde bombshells, the Warner Brothers and other assorted characters, Oberon and Puck are tossed into loopy love triangles with hilarious results.

ESU seniors Pat Janssen (Emporia) and Emily Young (Parsons) portray Oberon and Puck, with Jamie McCabe (senior, Mandan, ND) as Max Reinhardt. The rest of the cast includes Chris Lohkamp (junior, Wichita) as Jack Warner; Ben Fleer (junior, Olathe) as Will Hays; Chris Wilson (freshman, Mulvane) is Daryl; Lindsay Roland (sophomore, Grand Island, NE) portrays Olivia Darnell. Louella Parsons is played by Tricia Stogsdill (senior, Pleasanton); Kelsey Fredricks (sophomore, Mandan, ND) is Lydia Lansing; Dylan Lewis (freshman, Wichita) is Dick Powell; Gabe Moyer (junior, Olathe) appears as Joe E. Brown.

Other ensemble members include Roy Michael Johnson (junior, McLouth); Alex Pedersen (sophomore, Olathe); Camille Schmierer (senior, Wichita); Robyn Verner (senior, Wichita) and Emily Warren (freshman, Wichita). Cassie Kay Hoppas (junior, Erie) is the costume running crew head and Benjamin Williams (junior, Elbing) the shift crew head. House Manager is Emily Thomas (senior, Lawrence); Soundboard operator is Ethyn Gutierrez (freshman, Olathe) and Lightboard operator is John Duch (freshman, Wamego).

The play is directed by James Ryan. The production team includes Su J Mai (costume designer), Kyle Land (scenic design), Ron Fowlkes (lighting design), and Andrea Lee Turner (senior, stage manager).

Playwright Ken Ludwig is one of America’s most prolific and popular comic playwrights. ESU Theatre previously presented his Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo. Director Jim Ryan played the lead in the latter. Ludwig’s most popular Broadway credit is Crazy for You, the new Gershwin musical.

Performance dates are April 30, May 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for students. Tickets may be reserved at the ESU box office at 341-6378 or toll-free at 877-341-6378.