Nov. 13, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rachel Messner
Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department
805-756-1465 rmessner@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly to Stage ‘The Bald Soprano’
SAN LUIS OBIPSO -- Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department will present its fall production of “The Bald Soprano” at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov.13- 15 and 20-22, in the Spanos Theatre on campus.
This innovative, world-renowned play by Eugene Ionesco presents an absurd environment where meaningful communication and logical thoughts are impossible, according to Al Schnupp of the Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department.
Amidst delightful word play, the audience is witness to a world haunted by uniformity, the threat of annihilation, fanaticism and nationalism.
Cal Poly’s version will present a unique vision of the play. To complement the madness, the actors have adopted icons of contemporary American culture -- they are obsessed with celebrity, electronic gadgets and sensationalism in the media. Within this frantic whirlwind of miscommunication, though, the actors break the façade to reveal true, intimate, moving stories about themselves, said Schnupp. They share tales of heartbreak and triumph, exploring significant events that have shaped their attitudes and transformed their characters.
The set is a stylized network of cubicles that simultaneously protect and isolate the characters. Each cubicle is a storehouse of bizarre props and unique attire that reflect the concerns and phobias of these colorful characters. The costumes, designed by Thomas John Bernard, also capture elements of absurdity. One character wears a suit outfitted with wires and an Internet portal. Another outfit could only be worn by an anarchist. A third costume enables the character to maintain constant cellular phone contact.
The show is 70 minutes long with no intermission. Tickets are $12 for the public and $10 for students and senior citizens. For tickets, call the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office at 756-2787 or go online to www.pacslo.org.
For more information, call Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department at 756-1111.
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