The Gustavus Adolphus College Department of Theatre & Dance presents Swedish playwright August Strindberg’s naturalistic drama in one scene, The Stronger. The play is produced as a part of this year’s Theatre Gallery, two plays performed and directed entirely by students. The Stronger, directed and translated by junior theatre and Scandinavian studies major Ethan Bjelland, will be performed November 18 at 7:00 p.m., November 20 at 5:00 p.m., and November 21 at 1:00 p.m.
The Stronger, written in 1890, is set in a café on Christmas Eve where two nameless actresses, once very close, confront one another. Through the course of the play we learn of a dark secret that would challenge the strength of these two women. It is a naturalistic drama with real people, in a real space, at a real time.
This production has two parts with two different casts. The first part of the play will be performed in its native Swedish, and then performed again in Bjelland’s English translation. The Swedish cast includes sophomore communication studies major Kelsey Francis and first year Kaitlin Dahlquist. The English cast consists of sophomore English education major Julia Tindell and first year Comfort Dolo. Sophomore theatre major Jane Chung plays the waitress for both performances.
Patrick McDougle designed the play’s lighting and Jess Swanson designed the costumes. Matt Claypool created the scenic design. This production is stage managed by Connie Boatwright and assistant directed by Karla Leitzman. Josh Tveite is the light board operator.
Tickets for The Stronger are available on-line at www.gustavustickets.com. All tickets are general admission at $5 each. Gustavus students and staff free of charge with ID. Tickets available at showtime will be available at the Black Box beginning one hour prior to curtain.