Merely Gamers launches season with comedy – The Durango Herald
Erika Vetter and Adam Fontana, taking part in Rosalind and Orlando within the 2022 manufacturing of “As You Like It,” are seen right here in a scene from “A Midsummer’s Night time’s Dream,” from the 2018 Merely Gamers manufacturing. (Courtesy of Kara Cavalca)
Merely Gamers will open its season Sept. 23, with a colourful, Sixties-inspired rendition of Shakespeare’s frothiest of comedies – “As You Like It.”
“Shakespeare was instructed to write down a humorous play, and he got here up with the title ‘As You Like It,’” stated Director Mona Wooden-Patterson. “It’s one of the lighthearted and chic of all his comedies. And, it’s our first Shakespeare in Merely Underground.”
After years of performing Shakespeare and different works in varied uncommon discovered areas corresponding to a warehouse, a barn, a ranch or, most creatively, a dry motel pool, the Gamers now have a everlasting dwelling.
Based in 1994, the semiprofessional firm moved into its sprawling area at 789 Tech Middle Drive throughout the pandemic. Final season, the Gamers scheduled a full roster of performs, together with “Matilda the Musical.” The Underground is an enormous, partially below-ground area that has an enormous stage space that may be tailored to any variety of configurations. It additionally has prop and costume storage, a carpentry store, workplace area, relaxation and dressing rooms.
“We’re utilizing alley staging for this manufacturing,” Wooden-Patterson stated. The viewers will sit on risers astride the taking part in space. “We’ve got 22 scenes, which is a problem, a 17-member forged, stay music and dancing.”
Dancing ’60s-style, that’s. Time touring with Shakespeare is the best way of the world as of late, and Wooden-Patterson is at all times on the inventive cusp of theatrical efficiency apply.
“The ’60s was a time of re-examination and breakthrough,” she stated. “We’re in an identical part now as we query norms and attempt to return collectively. Drawing a visible parallel to the previous permits us to underscore the themes of the play and make them accessible in a stunning and charming method.”
With costumes by JoAnn Nevils, the entire manufacturing will glimmer with a ’60s groove. Musician-actor Conor Sheehan (Oliver/Amiens) has set Shakespeare’s lyrics to his personal interpretation of ’60s-style music. And Fairness Actor-choreographer Zachary Chiero (Touchstone) has crafted dance sequences to underscore the look and tone of Wooden-Patterson’s up to date idea.
The story begins with two generations of brothers who’re at odds with one another. It rapidly shifts from a tightly ordered, hierarchical court docket to a free-and-natural forest the place romantic comedy prospers.
“Our playful manufacturing is stuffed with flirtatious disguises, witty encounters, creative puppetry and a few of Shakespeare’s most well-known phrases,” Wooden-Patterson stated. “And we have now an unusually massive forged of 17. We’re welcoming again some alumni, which is our apply. Many have gone on to skilled careers. You’ll additionally see some newbies. We held open auditions.”
WHAT: “As You Like It,” a comedy by William Shakespeare, offered by Merely Gamers, directed by Mona Wooden-Patterson.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Sept. 23, 24, 29, 30 and Oct. 1. 2 p.m. Sept. 25 and Oct. 2.
WHERE: Merely Underground, 789 Tech Middle Drive.
ADMISSION: $30
MORE INFORMATION: Go to www.merelyplayers.us or name 749-8585. Masking elective.
Fairness Actors Adam Fontana and Erika Vetter are returning to anchor the comedy as Orlando and Rosalind. Sheehan and Chiero add to the skilled combine plus skilled native actors Stephen Bowers (Duke Senior), Mohriah James (Ada) and Charlie Grice (Corin/Charles). Newcomer Paul E. Laakso, brings skilled expertise to his first position in Durango as Jaques. Different performers fill out the massive forged supported by a 16-member crew headed up by Wooden-Patterson and Technical Director and Merely co-founder Charles Ford.
The Forest of Arden may also be inhabited by varied animals within the type of puppets. Ford and Chiero have created whimsical creatures together with a sheep identify Beatrice, a deer and a lion that every one serve plot factors.
Beatrice, the sheep, is a puppet created for “As You Like It.” (Courtesy of Merely Gamers)
“We love including puppets – particularly to comedies,” Wooden-Patterson stated. “Puppets heighten creativeness. And this can be a play about an escape from accountability from an ordered, predictable world.
Plotchats
Merely Gamers has a practice of presenting story summaries for Shakespearean performs. Plotchats are held 45 minutes earlier than curtain time and nicely price an early arrival. This fall, Wooden-Patterson and Bowers will share the duty. The plot, characters and the way the story unfolds shall be defined. For individuals new to or aware of Shakespeare, the preshow talks improve the theater expertise and are free to ticket holders.
Masking is elective this yr. For those who choose to take a seat with different masked viewers members, let the Gamers’ workers members know forward of time. Contact gretaricheter13@gmail.com or name 748-8585 to make the request.
Judith Reynolds is an arts journalist and member of the American Theatre Critics Affiliation.
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