June 27, 2005 – Sylvia Bierschenk

Summer theatre season continues

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Theatre's summer season continues in July with productions of Alan Cullen's "Trudi and the Minstrel" and Michael Cristofer's "The Shadow Box" in repertory fashion.

"Trudi," a Neo-Gothick Extravaganza, will be presented on Wednesday, July 6; Thursday, July 7; Friday, July 15; and Saturday, July 16. "The Shadow Box," which focuses on three terminally ill patients and their families, will be presented on Friday, July 8; Saturday, July 9; Wednesday, July 13; and Thursday, July 14. All productions will be at 7:30 p.m. in W. M. Turner Auditorium.

"Trudi" is suitable for the entire family, according to Alan Nielsen, SFA professor of theatre and the show's director. "The satirical travesty of Medieval adventure tales is filled with a cast of over 20 outrageous characters--including an evil Baroness, a talking head, a dragon, a mermaid and various trolls and gypsies."

"And though it predates the formation of the Monty Python troupe by a couple of years, it is nonetheless filled with the same irreverent, off-the-wall humor," Nielsen added. "We have, in fact, given a nod here and there in this production to classic Pythonia, as well as to Robin Hood, the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges, Walt Disney villainesses, Mae West, Tom Ridge and Porky Pig."

"The Shadow Box," which received both the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, is a more serious production, said Allen Oster, SFA professor of theatre and the show's director. "This gripping, funny and compassionate drama delves boldy into the mysteries of dying by laying bare the fears, shortcomings and expectations of living," he explained.

Anyone familiar with the stages of dying as identified by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross will recognize the range of emotions the characters and their family members experience, Oster explained. "Their actions and dialogue reflect denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance."

The director said the stages of denial and anger, in particular, include strong language for some of the characters, and he thereby recommends the play for mature audiences.

Immediately after the production on Saturday, July 9, audience members are invited to remain for a panel discussion on death and dying moderated by Dr. J. B. Watson, Jr., SFA professor of sociology. Panelists will include members of the cast and two professionals from LifeCare Hospice Program in Nacogdoches--director Brenda Parker and admissions coordinator and chaplain Garrel Faulkner.

The Summer Repertory Season is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre.

Tickets to each performance are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.