Last week, members of Tufts' drama society, Pen, Paint and Pretzels (3Ps), sat in Balch Arena to hear proposals for next fall's major production. Two proposals were made, but only one would hit the stage to and become 3Ps' next endeavor.
The proposed shows were One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman and Ring Round the Moon by Jean Anouilh, adapted by Christopher Fry. The director for each was Megan Hammer and Taylor Shann, respectively, both rising seniors. Both proposals were strong, thorough, well organized and interesting. However, the chosen show turned out to be the lesser-known of the two, Anouilh's Ring.
The play is about "two twins, exactly alike but completely different. Two women, with only room for one belle of the ball. One butler. Old friends reunited, wheelchair wisdom, a festival of fools, and a millionaire who was happier when he wasn't worth a penny. To win a true happily ever after, you have to shoot the moon."
Shann describes his concept for the play as "a 1920s Spectacular Spectacular," filled to the brim with jazz, fireworks, butterflies, and of course, twins. "We're jazzing it up, literally. Putting it in the roaring 20s," Shann said. He plans to move the shows setting from France to the United States in hopes to create a Great Gatsby-esque atmosphere.
"The play is a comic/romantic fantasy with some darker, sadder themes, but in the end everything comes full circle. It has what I like to call an 'earned' happy ending," describes Shann.
One of the fantastical elements of the play is that the aforementioned twins are played by the same male actor, which will prove to be a challenge not only for the actor but for Shann as well. The costumes will be period, but the costume designer will have some freedom. Above all, Shann just wants the costumes to look great.
Shann is "thrilled to have the opportunity" to direct next fall's major production. (This will be his first major production at Tufts).
Students of all majors and years are helping Shann out in terms of production. Eleven students make up his production staff, all of whom have participated in previous shows at Tufts.
"They all know their jobs very well," Shann said. "My job will be to point them in the right direction and then get out of the way."
The show calls for eleven actors -- six female, five male -- so be on the lookout for auditions early next semester.
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