Bruckner's Pains of Youth
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Gustavus Adolphus College is pleased to present the intriguingly seductive and aggressive Pains of Youth as part of its 2010 Theatre Gallery. Pains of Youth, written by Ferdinand Bruckner and adapted by Martin Crimp, is a Theatre Honors project directed, designed, acted, and produced entirely by nine Senior Theatre students. Performances will take place in Anderson Theatre November 19 and 20 at 8:00 p.m. and November 21 at 3:00 p.m.
Bruckner’s Pains of Youth is set in a 1920’s Vienna boarding house, where six medical students and their maid attempt to survive in a war-torn bourgeois society. The play explores the existential crisis that is involved with being a youth in society. These characters surround themselves with ideas of philosophy, psychology, religion, and medicine in the attempt to deal with these emotional pressures by abusing drugs, sex, alcohol, material possessions, and most of all, each other. The constant manipulation of intertwined relationships take over reality so that violence and madness follow.
The production is co-directed by Christian DeMarais and Caitlin McCarthy, and associate directed by Kimberly Braun, Michael Davidson, and Peter Nygren. The set is designed by Lydia Francis, costumes by Robert Croghan, and lighting by Kristen Mead. This is the first time that a Senior Honors Project of this magnitude has been produced at Gustavus. Preparing since early 2010, Pains of Youth will be the final product of the group’s dedication to their honors project.
Tickets 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 not purchased in advance may be purchased at Anderson Theatre beginning one hour prior to curtain.