St. Bonaventure University’s theatre program has a new play planned. The play is titled “Lines,” and it is a newly devised play by the theatre director who and theatre students. “Lines” began showing on Wednesday and will continue to Saturday, with shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. The play runs for approximately 70 minutes, and there is no intermission. Following the Friday night performance, there will also be an audience talk-back. Before the start of the play, guests can grab a pamphlet complete with a history of the Bonaventure theatre.
SBU’s theatre program describes the play as “a new surrealist vaudeville.” “Lines” was devised between April and August of 2019, and the cast has been rehearsing since Sept. 2nd. Overall, there have been over 200 hours of faculty and student collaboration with the project, with additional hours for each individual member of the cast and crew ensemble.
The story for “Lines” was created by using a mix of original material, pieces of Shakespeare plays and sonnets and the writings of Goethe and many others. These pieces all revolve around the struggles one faces when working in theatre and the arts. Shakespeare and Goethe are both famous playwrights known for writing exceptional tragedies. Their influences on the play will give it some elements of classic theatre.
The play acts to teach the audience about what is required to be a successful theatre actor. A brief history of theatre is given including face paint, proper postures, and rules that every aspiring actor or actress should follow. There are also two songs titled “O Mistress Mine” and “Wither O Wither.” Noelle Acaso is the head musician in both of these lovely tunes, and the lyrics are taken from William Shakespeare.
Dr. Ed Simone, the director of the theatre program, is the one who devised “Lines.” The play will include seven actors: Cameron Pettrone, Emily Weber, Sarah Wright, Nathan Nicotera, Madison Stites, Madeline Edwards and JeanCarlos Aponte. Tamara Hilmey is the choreographer and Janell Clingenpeel is in charge of the costumes.
Ticket prices for employees, seniors and students are $6 and ticket prices for the public are $8. Only one student ticket can be purchased per student ID. Free rush seating is available for students at 6:30 p.m. in the Garret Theatre box office, but seats must be purchased in person. If someone wants to buy tickets, he or she should call (716) 375-2494, which is the number for the Garret Theatre box office.
There is to be no pictures or videos taken during the performance and all electronic devices are to be turned off. This way, audience members can enjoy the performance without any interruptions.
Comedy and tragedy mix in this both informational and interesting play.
By Grace Usala, Staff Writer
usalagc19@bonaventure.edu
