LSU will move up one stage next weekend to Charles Dickens.
He only told the story of two cities. LSU's theater groups tell the stories of multiple cities in a variety of ways.
For LSU Theater, the story of “Marburg” chronicles events that took place in four real-life cities of Marburg located around the world, all tied in some way to different periods in history.
Meanwhile, LSU's Musical Theater Club presents songs from the eclectic world of musical theater at its annual Singeaux Revue.
In both cases, there are many stories to understand and provoke many thoughts.
LSU Theater's production of Guillem Krua's 2010 drama “Marburg” opens Thursday at the Riley Theatre. Portions of the play are typically taught in classes at the LSU School of Drama.
“Actually, a student suggested we do this play,” said visiting director Aubrey Snowden. So this will be the first time this play will be performed at LSU.
Snowden is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a freelance director and was brought to LSU as a visiting artist specifically to direct this play.
LSU has plenty of theater opportunities next weekend as “Marburg” opens at the LSU Theater and each of LSU's musical theater clubs open its doors.
As a result, the Riley Theater floor was divided into multiple stages, one of which was outfitted as Pennsylvania's living room. This is where multiple parts of this story unfold.
The story begins in August 1967, when an outbreak of an unknown hemorrhagic fever virus ravages the quaint German village of Marburg, killing 23 people in a matter of hours. As the play progresses, this event links his four stories in different Marburgs over 40 years. South Africa, 1999. and Australia, 2007.
“There's a lot of emotional parts to this play,” Snowden said. “You could say it’s a kind of epic global play. There are four different settings, four different locations, four different time periods, and yet all the stories slowly but surely come together in conjunction with each other. , tells a bigger story. , a slightly bigger story.”
The concept of disease, present in all four locations, grapples with issues such as the weight of history, the value of faith, the power of politics, survival, and identity. His nine characters in “Marburg'' look at their lives, but also know that their lives could end at any time.
“This play has a lot of echoes like the coronavirus,” Snowden said. “It's really interesting to do this play now, post-pandemic, because we have a completely different understanding than we did 10 years ago.”
Cast member Zoe Wyman empathizes with her relationship with COVID-19. Her freshman year at LSU was spent learning remotely due to the pandemic.
Now, the New Orleans-born senior theater major is one of the stars of LSU Theater's annual spring production.
She plays Akanit, a Ugandan missionary living in South Africa who helps a Catholic priest determine whether Jesus is bleeding on the cross in the sanctuary of a Catholic church.
Can the two solve the mystery?
“I think it's open to interpretation,” Wyman said. “Akanit tries to help Priest Gabriel find the answer to this mystery, but then the story begins to delve into deeper themes.”
Speaking of interpretations, Wyman, who had studied this play in his drama class, had a different take on “Marburg.”
“I thought, 'What is this?'” she said. “But now, actually seeing it on stage is really helpful for storytelling, and I think it’s more profound, especially after we get through COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, on stage at the LSU Union Theater, the LSU Musical Theater Club will take audiences on an upbeat journey Friday with a one-night-only revue, “Singeaux.”
Well, “lighter” might not be accurate, since the show opens with the “Hairspray the Musical” anthem “I Know Where I've Been.” There's something about that song that gives me goosebumps.
It's also the perfect opener for a 16-song program that includes numbers like “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago, “Brand New Day” from The Wiz, and “Dancing Queen” from Mamma Mia.
And what about the grand finale? Now, it's “Time Warp'' from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.''
“Singeaux” is directed by Jayden Dorsett, who, like the rest of the cast and crew, is a student. Dorsett, a junior majoring in psychology at Mandeville College, plays baritone in his LSU Golden band at Tigerland.
“I had never been in a musical theater production before coming to LSU, but I always loved singing,” Dorsett said. “So I joined the club to sing. I also thought it was a good way to meet people on campus.”
The club, like the band, accepts students from all majors. Mr. Dorsett currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Club's Board of Directors. His goal in directing “Singeaux” is to give the cast of 46 as many singing and dancing opportunities as possible.
Some sing solos, others with small ensembles, and there are all-cast numbers.
“For the past few years, the same person has played the main singer role,” Dorsett said. “So this year, that's something I really wanted to take the lead on. I didn't want to cast anyone in more than one or two roles. I want to give everyone a chance and , thereby giving more people the opportunity to fulfill these roles. ”
There will be an intermission during the show, and as always, admission is free.
“However, MTCLSU does accept donations for the club,” Dorsett said.
In the meantime, brush up on Time Warp. That number encourages audience participation. After all, this is a “Rocky Horror” tradition and part of the fun of “Shinjou.”
“Marburg” will run Thursday through Sunday and Wednesday through Sunday, April 17th through April 21st, at the Riley Theater on Tower Drive. Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. All other shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $9 to $22. Visit lsu.edu/cmda.
“Shingo” It will be performed at the LSU Union Theater on Friday at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/musicaltheatre.