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November 22, 2011
400-year-old play tempts students to stage By Morgan Harding Web Master
The Misericordia Players performed William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” from November 17-19, 2011. “The Tempest” gave the club the best opportunities for casting: the play emphasized female roles for a femaleheavy student body. Shakespeare’s play also celebrated a milestone, it’s 400th anniversary. “It was a happy accident that is really cool,” said Samuel Corey, crew member and theater work study student. There were some unhappy accidents along the way also, but the cast and crew quickly overcame them. “It’s been a long road with the set that we had to build and all of the other technical challenges we have had along with the actors challenges of learning what the lines actually meant and then memorize them,” Corey said. Several cast members suffered through illness leading up to opening night. The play was adapted with a modern day vibe, striking a chord with fans of the ABC show “Lost.” It follows an exiled duke, his daughter and a whole court of residents and royal followers. Junior R.J. Barna and senior Marissa Miller, who took the stage as the exiled Duke of Milan, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, led the cast of 18. King Alonzo, played by junior Matthew Cebrosky, discovers the two and a comedy of Shakespearian proportions follows. “We’re really, really confident in our product and hope that everyone enjoys it,” said Corey.
Above left, first year student Jeff Kelly embraces his role as Caliban. Above right, seniors Mary Scarpa and Samuel Corey show a light hearted performance.
Above, sophomore Hilary Hoover acts as Adriana, one of her two parts in this play. She also played the role of Iris. Above, first year student Melvin Jay Busi and Nick Kestler share an emotional scene together on the stage in Lemmond Theatre.
Above, junior R.J. Barna and sophomore Dinamichele Boyer use the stage props to enhance their performances in “The Tempest.” Left, junior R.J. Barna and senior Marissa Miller act together as the leads of the cast of 18 MU Players.
Photo story by Mary Bove/The Highlander