New production turns Barnum into a theater

"No one can understand this play until they see it," said cavewoman Heather Vergo. This is true.

Pastoralia, sophomore Marc Frost's adaptation of a George Saunders story, is a bit complicated, very funny, and undoubtedly "quirky." The play, which is staged in Barnum 008, is about a future in which corporations dominate the job scene and "sympathetically" control their employees' lives. The plot takes place in a living theme park with historical exhibits ranging from Jesus Christ to our area of focus, the cave men.

The corporate environment is most similar to that of the film Office Space. Characters spend their days, from 9 to 5, trying to get by in any way they can and dreading any looming "staff remixing" within the company. The two cave people pass the time in an observable cave environment in which they are not allowed to speak English or interact with park guests, and must live generally pre-civilized lives. Their only contact with the outside world is via fax. And at the end of the day they are to fill out "partner evaluation" forms. This is where most of the drama stems.

Throughout the play we are introduced to a colorful array of characters including the Voice of Administration, a giddy business executive, and Marty, the owner of one of the park's concession stands. We also meet those characters who are passing through the park and who generally have, less than kosher interactions with the cave people.

Frost's adaptation is warm, funny, and examines where we've come from and where we're going. The characters are at once exaggerated and authentic. The space is intimate and fitting for the piece. By all means, the show is definitely different than anything you may have experienced in the Balch Arena Theatre, but its content and execution are refreshing. Saunders is a witty, straightforward and funny writer and Frost's adaptation retains the best of his writing in his thorough adaptation and direction.

Students involved in the production have described the experience as far from any other here at Tufts. Sophomore George Rausch has enjoyed working with a director who is also the writer, and said that Frost "really knows what he's talking about."

But it is important, he says, to make the distinction between an original play and an adaptation. Frost, having adapted the play, took very few liberties with the story and "sometimes gets a little touchy about it." Even as a cast member, Rausch isn't really sure he understands the play, but seeing it, he says, "You feel something; you just can't quite put your finger on it."

Another cast member, Vergo, describes the writing as "brilliant," and says it's great to be able to work directly with the writer because he knows what he wants and has a good grasp on the characters. Other cast members are excited about making use of a new space and discovering new ways to put on theater.

Pastoralia is Tufts' first student production to make use of the undiscovered space in Barnum 008, as well as the debut production of a new student theater group, the Bare Bodkin Theatre Company. This first production of the new group will be the catalyst for getting the new company up and rolling.

After proposing the show at a 3Ps' meeting and being beaten out by Black Comedy, Frost decided the show needed to go up, in spite of this setback. "It spoke to me, in that it needed to be staged," Frost said. "So I did, but it hasn't been that easy."

Sponsored by 3Ps, Frost and Bare Bodkin were able to reserve a found-space for the show in Barnum. The show is independently funded, as funding came from soliciting donations and ads for the playbill.

'Pastoralia' will be staged in Barnum 008 on Saturday night at 6:30pm and 9:30pm. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and appreciated.