The Gustavus Adolphus College Theatre and Dance Department is bringing theatre to the people, as The Marriage of Figaro opens at the St. Peter Yoga Studio on April 20. With laugh-out-loud comedy, disguises, and confusion, the show aims to bring a smile to the face of audience members.
While many are familiar with the opera The Marriage of Figaro, this might be a new experience. The play was actually written almost 10 years prior to the opera. However, the prevailing themes of subversion of boundaries between social classes, feminism and hierarchical relationships still ring true. And, music lovers need not fear, the Gustavus production includes several musical numbers including songs from around the world, a little Beyoncé, and even a piece from the opera itself.
As one might guess from the musical selections, this rendition of the play is not set in the original time period. In fact, director Henry MacCarthy says that there has been an intentional melding of several different decades within the production. “This is a period piece that has the tempo for today’s audience. It’s really fast paced and the whole play takes place in one day,” he says.
The opportunity to perform the piece off campus in a new space also provides a unique opportunity for audience members as well as performers. With only 85 seats of general admission per performance, the space is intimate, giving the audience a chance to choose their view of the show.
MacCarthy says it has been some time since the department produced a full-fledged comedy. While the storyline has some serious undertones, he expects the audience to have a truly enjoyable evening. “Audience members will recognize the play’s characters in people they know and will understand why the situations they are in are problematic. But, at the same time they’ll just have a really good time,” he says.
Tickets for The Marriage of Figaro are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting gustavustickets.com or by calling 507-933-7590. The production runs through April 22. Please note, there is no handicapped accessible seating in this venue.
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