The SBU Theatre’s spring production hit the Regina A. Quick Center for the arts this week. Student actors took on different roles based on characters from the Brothers Grimm to create their production titled “Story Theatre.”
Based on Aesop’s fables and Grimm Brothers tales, the play aims to tell classic tales with a comedic twist. Actors had to emerge themselves into their characters in order to produce the crazy results of the show.
The play featured 10 different stories. Townspeople, animals, judges and robbers all made an appearance throughout the stories.
“Story Theatre” promises endless laughter. Absurd names such as “Cocky Locky” were enough to create giggles from the audience. The band, composed of a trumpet, trombone, percussion, woodwinds and a piano, added to the comical feel.
“Preparing for this play required a lot of character work. This play relies on the absurdity of its character for its success, so it was a lot of finding out how to make my characters over the top,” freshman journalism and mass communication major and actor Bryce Spadafora said.
Spadafora had four roles: The Parson, Man #1, The Flounder and The Eldest Son. Although playing The Flounder was his favorite role, he said he also found it the most challenging.
“[The Flounder] is a very physical character. I’m running up and down the house and launching myself onto the stage. It takes a lot out of me.”
Audiences can expect a unique performance and original storyline.
“This play is very different from what we’ve seen from SBU Theatre the last few semesters. It’s a comedy, much more lighthearted and the plot of the stories don’t require much inquiry, so you can just enjoy it for what it is,” sophomore journalism and mass communication major and actor Miguel Lopez said.
The scene and costume changes are done in front of the audience and very few props are used. Instead, the audience is left to use their imagination at times.
“This performance kind of breaks forth a bit. The audience can see the actors transitioning from one story to the next: setting up props or changing costumes. It’s not something you usually see in plays, so it makes it a lot more lighthearted, and the audience has a chance to see the behind the scenes a bit,” Lopez said.
“Story Theatre” premiered on Wednesday and will run through Saturday with performances at 7:30 each night.
The play appeals to a diverse audience. The humor is appropriate for all ages and the content is easy to follow.
“There’s something in it for everyone to get a laugh. It’s a very physical show, kind of silly and over the top, so everyone can enjoy,” Lopez said.
kolbee14@bonaventure.edu
