City Comedies hit Diego stage
By Jen Houghton
COPY EDITOR
City College’s Theatre Department will present two exciting comedies at the Diego Rivera Theatre before the Spring semester comes to a close.
The last weekend of February brings the first play of the semester, Shakespeare’s “All’s Well That Ends Well.”
The poetic comedy, “explores the pain of unrequited love,” said the play’s director and theatre arts instructor, John Wilk. It follows the main character, Helena, as she does whatever it takes to win over her love, Bertram, including a bedroom bait-and-switch with his crush, Diana.
“I think it has a somewhat cynical take on relationships that is at times disconcerting and at times refreshing,” said City College student Maria Leigh , who will play Diana. Leigh has acted in a number of City College plays including the memorable “Aftermath of War,” also directed by Wilk.
The cast, which is made up of students who auditioned in December, is currently in rehearsal.
“All’s Well That Ends Well” will play for two weeks at the Diego Rivera Theatre Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Feb. 27, 28, and March 1, 6, 7, 8. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students.
The second production of the semester will be “How to Succeed in Business Without Trying,” directed by City College’s music and theatere instructor Deborah Shaw. It is a musical comedy set in the 1960’s about a young man climbing the corporate ladder with the help of a how-to book.
“The story is real tongue-in-cheek. It doesn’t take itself too seriously so it’s a real good time,” Shaw said.
Shaw anticipates a cast of 25-30 students for the production. Auditions were held Saturday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, February 8, from 12-3 p.m. Potential actors were asked to sing one up-tempo song and one ballad, and to perform one comic monologue. Those who got call-backs were asked to perform a dance routine one week later.
“How to Succeed in Business Without Trying” will be a fun production and performance, featuring 1960’s era clothing and playful songs such as, “A Secretary’s Not a Toy.”
The musical, which has been on Broadway and in film, will debut at the Diego Rivera Theatre with a preview performance Thursday, April 16, which will be free for City College students. The show will run through the last two weekends in April with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m, April 17, 18, 19 and again April 24, 25, 26.
Reservations can be made by calling the theatre department directly at 415-452-7274