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In one of their
most ambitious and novel theatrical undertakings ever, MCCC Drama
students will present "Woyzeck," a visionary play
written in 1836 by German playwright Georg Buchner that has had
a fresh, new translation and will be performed with a distinctively
fanciful flair. "Woyzeck" comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre
Fridays, April 20 and 27 at 8 p.m., Saturdays, April 21 and 28 at
8 p.m., and Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is conveniently
located on Mercer's West
Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.
MCCC Drama Program
Coordinator Jody Person describes the play as a darkly humorous
morality tale that speaks to the consequences of living in poverty,
both physically and spiritually. Franz Woyzeck is a poor soldier
in a small town. Bullied by his captain and subjected to bizarre
medical experimentation by an army doctor, Woyzeck's nerves are
already strained as his personal life spirals out of control - into
mystery, murder, and madness.
And if that
isn't enough to peak audiences' curiosity, Person's other characterization
of "Woyzeck" almost certainly will: "It's Pinocchio
meets 'mirror, mirror on the wall, what's a human being after all?'
- all performed in a three-ring circus," Person said. He notes
that it is rare for students in their second year of theater studies
to perform a work as ambitious and difficult as "Woyzeck,"
but even rarer is the chance to premiere such a work in a new translation.
Researched and compiled over a period of five years by playwright,
dramaturg, and native German speaker Inga Meier, the new text has
been painstakingly organized from Büchner's original manuscripts.
"It represents a wonderful opportunity for English-language
audiences to experience the play again or for the first time, as
well to see some of our finest students featured in an enduring
drama that asks some of life's big questions," Person said.
The cast features: Peter Deane as Franz Woyzeck, Josiah DeAndrea
as Andres, Aubrey Malloy as Marie, David Hamm as the Captain, Nicole
Russano as the Doctor, Keith Harper as Drum Major, and Deena Jiles
as the Grandmother. Also featured are Melanie Britton, Michael Gervasoni,
Ricki Hearns, Shauri Johnson, Stephanie Landau, Dan Lownie, Melissa
Melicharek, Katie Proietti, Yiraldi Reyes, Erik Rojas, Julian Somogyi,
Brian Sufalko, Alysia Tuscano, and Joseph Zingone.
Why select Woyzeck
as the program's final performance piece for the year? "It
ties into our theater history curriculum," Person explained.
"I wanted to put students' learning into actual practice and
make it more experiential. Plus, I think that performing a new translation
of a classic text is an amazing opportunity for the college, the
theater program, and our students. I don't think this kind of opportunity
comes along often."
Click here
for a "Woyzeck" preview on YouTube.
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