By Mary Best
Managing Editor
After a grueling five weeks of rehearsal, SBU Theater is prepared to debut its newest production, “More than Before,” by Kathryn Coughlin this weekend in the Garrett Theater.
While the five-week deadline provided some challenges, Ed. Simone, director of the theater program, said the four-person cast worked incredibly hard.
“Everyone has put in so much hard work and so many hours, hundreds really, that the challenges have been small,” Simone said. “We set a challenging goal for ourselves, so that’s always rewarding.”
The show’s plot revolves around the death of the protagonist Girl’s best friend and how her grief affects Girl’s relationships with other people. The emotional demands of the 70-minute show intensified the rehearsal process.
“Rehearsals have been intense, but in a good way,” Simone said. “(They) have been really developing subtle shifts in character and growing emotionally in their roles.”
Emily West, a senior journalism and mass communication and theater major, plays Girl in the production. West talked about the emotional challenges of her role.
“It’s an intensely emotional show,” West said. “It was hard to go through everything she goes through every night and going home and letting all that go and getting back to doing homework and actual life things. It gets in your head more than a comedy would.”
West said the small cast is one of the things she loves most about working on the production.
“It’s cool to do a small cast show,” she said. “We’ve been able to work intensely on the chemistry between the four of us.”
The cast also includes junior journalism and mass communication and theater major, Freddie Alvarez (Boyfriend; sophomore journalism and mass communication and theater major Tori Lanzillo (Dead Girl) and Leigh Simone, assistant professor of modern languages (Mother).
Leigh stepped into a role when the original actress was unable to return to Bonaventure. She said she has loved working with her husband and being a part of the production.
“Having met my husband doing theater here at SBU and continuing to participate in theater with him up until he became an (Actor’s) Equity (Association) actor, I have been directed by him on numerous productions,” Leigh said. “But, it has been many years. However, it is a great experience and lots of fun for the two of us.”
Leigh also noted her enjoyment of working with Bonaventure students as fellow cast members.
“I enjoyed meeting more SBU students and working closely with the ones I have met in the past,” Leigh said. “Nothing beats the partnership of comradeship and creativity.”
The unconventional play also offered fresh opportunities for designing a show in the intimate theater. Rebecca Misenheimer, assistant professor of theater and the designer and technical director of the show, said it’s wonderful working on a play with such an abstract design concept, which includes the three-sided stage adorned with white walls, floor and furniture.
Leigh hopes the audience will want to come back for more theater after seeing the show.
“Sometimes I think that people think that if there is not singing or dancing, it’s not theater or not worth seeing,” Leigh said. “Straight plays such as this one are worth every minute you spend in the seat.”
Ed. Simone added he would like audience members to leave the theater a little changed from when they first arrived.
“‘More Than Before’ really reaches in and has something to say about moving on rather than ‘getting over’ something difficult,” Simone said. “It’s a short piece, but it packs a lot into those minutes and it has humor, passion and a really strong emotional arc.”
SBU Theater will present “More than Before” at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday and Sunday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with a talk-back with playwright Kathryn Coughlin immediately following tonight’s performance. Student rush tickets will be available at the Garrett Theater box office one hour before the performance.
