Maryland Community Newspapers Online
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Maryland Community Newspapers Online
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Rude Mechanicals turn ‘Faustus’ into circus act
‘‘He’d be pretty upset,” director Paul Davis said. ‘‘First, I cut about 60 percent of the play. Second, this is just so different from what he was used to. I’ve pushed the tempo, keeping everything moving. He would think that everyone had the Elizabethan equivalent of A.D.D. (attention deficit disorder). Elizabethan theater was nothing like that.” And that doesn’t include the use of sex toys or religious figures engaging in sex acts during this production, which is definitely not for children. The story is about 500 years old and has been told in many forms. Doctor Faustus has a hunger to learn and studies every book he can, but in the end he is unfulfilled. He is tempted by a bad angel to pursue magic. Faustus calls upon Mephistophilis, a demon, to help him understand magic. Given a small taste of unlimited power, Faustus is seduced by it and agrees to forfeit his soul to Lucifer in exchange for 24 years of Memphistophilis being his personal servant and granting him anything he wishes. The Marlowe production is five acts and takes more than six hours to perform. Davis, the director, has cut it down to two acts that run about 90 minutes. It would not be a Rude Mechanicals’ production without a twist. In this case, Faustus is the ringleader of a circus. ‘‘This show is very different from anything the Rudes have done before, and that’s saying something,” said J. Calvin Smith of Laurel, who shares the role of Faustus. John Hefner of Bethesda is the other actor cast in the lead role. ‘‘What I think the audience will like is that it’s filled with surprises,” Smith said. Davis said he hopes to incorporate the circus theme into every aspect of the experience, including when the audience first arrives at Laurel High School. Some of those surprises are Faustus coming face to face with the seven deadly sins and falling in love with Helen of Troy. Donald Cook of Greenbelt plays six roles in the play, including the good angel. Other performers are: Erin MacDonald (Columbia) and Michael Galizia (Columbia) share the role of Mephistophilis; Nathen Wurzel (Columbia) and Brian Moors (the District) sharing the role of Wagner (and other parts); Kevin Brotzman (Columbia) as the bad angel; Johnathan Simmonds (Elkridge) as Lucifer; Andy Hall (District) as Cornelius; and members of the chorus, Joe Kubinski (Alexandria), Laurie Brown (Odenton) and Lauren Julien (District). ‘Mame’ opensin Fort Washington The Tantallon Community Players open their production of the musical ‘‘Mame” this weekend at Harmony Hall in Fort Washington. The musical won three Tony Awards when it debuted in 1966. The story is about free-wheeling Mame Dennis, who leads an eccentric life. When her brother dies, she is awarded custody of her nephew, Patrick. Mame decides she’s not going to change her lifestyle just because she now cares for a boy. Instead, she’s going to bring the boy into her crazy lifestyle. There are eight performances planned through June 10. E-mail Ken Sain at ksain@gazette.net. IF YOU GO Faustus When: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, June 1, June 2 Where: Sellers Theatre, Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel Tickets: $10, $8 seniors and students Box office: 301-317-7964 Mame When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through June 9 and 2 p.m. matinees June 3 and June 10 Where: Harmony Hall, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington Tickets: $15, $12 seniors and students Box office: 301-203-6070
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