West Windsor, N.J. – Theatre students at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) can count on being challenged every semester. Their upcoming performance of “Mad Forest” will be no exception, as it takes them and their audience on a journey into the murky minefield of dictatorships, revolutions and social upheaval.
“Mad Forest” will be performed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. Performances take place in The Studio Theatre, located next to Kelsey Theatre on the college’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Having just come off “Rosmersholm,” the Ibsen masterwork that intertwined domestic relationships with political realities in late 19th century Norway, students are fast forwarding to the messy politics of late 1980s Romania. Written by the great British playwright Caryl Churchill, the play encompasses the Romanian Revolution, conversations between dogs and vampires, happy engagements, and angels descending on poor families.
According to MCCC Associate Professor Jody Person, Coordinator of the Theatre/Dance Program, 14 students will portray more than 40 characters in this demanding, high energy production. “Every theatrical device is employed in this brilliant play, which examines family life within a politically corrupt system,” says Person, who is the show’s producer and is also coaching students on their Romanian accents. The show is directed by adjunct faculty member Quiche Stone. Sound and lighting will be carried out by MCCC’s Entertainment Technology students, under the supervision of Program Coordinator Robert Terrano. Sets and costumes are designed by adjunct faculty member Kate Pinner. The stage manager is second-year student Rachel Garretson. The play’s poster was designed by Advertising Design student Colin Walsh. |
