The theatre department has a perfect follow-up to Valentine’s Day with their performance of “Cardenio,” which will take place Wednesday, February 17 through Saturday, February 20 in the Erica Starr Theatre. There will be showings at 8 p.m., along with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.
“Cardenio” is considered a lost play written by Stephen Greenblatt and Charles Mee. However, it is inspired by another play, also by the name of “Cardenio,” which was written by William Shakespeare. Fragments of Shakespeare’s “Cardenio” will be embedded in the theatre department’s production.
Theatre professor and play director David McTier explained where the lost aspect originated from.
“The Greenblatt and Mee play, ‘Cardenio,’ is inspired by a lost play by Shakespeare by the same name,” McTier said. “‘Lost’ indicates that we previously had not attributed it to Shakespeare, but now we do. The Greenblatt Mee play premiered in the U.S. in 2008 and has had several regional and college productions since then.”
The show is a romantic comedy that takes place in Italy and portrays relationships that fall apart after a wedding one afternoon.
McTier said the show is fun and vivacious and promises to keep audiences entertained.
“It’s a fun script to rehearse, and even more fun to perform,” McTier said. “It’s light and lively and the perfect show to follow Valentine’s Day.”
McTier and his cast of 13 have enjoyed the preparations for this show, although they’ve had less time than usual to get ready. One of the reasons for the selection of this show in particular was because it was compatible with their short production period.
“Our first rehearsal was on Jan 18 with the opening on Feb 17,” McTier said. “Basically, this is a one month show, which is a full week shorter than our other season productions. Trying to get everything done in so little time has been a challenge. Plus, I’m also the sound designer, and there are a lot of music and sound effects.”
Despite the limited time that they have had to prepare, the performers are excited and ready to present a fun and focused production of “Cardenio.”
McTier said the audience can expect to spend a very enjoyable two hours in the theatre to witness some excellent actors.
Four actors in the show will graduate this May, so this show is said to be their swan song.
“Cardenio” contains adult material and may not be appropriate for children. General admission tickets are $12, student tickets are $10 and senior citizen tickets are $8. This event is open to the public.