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A.J. Kessler, right, and John Johnson perform during a recent dress rehearsal of The Learned Ladies.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Students in Wittenberg University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present The Learned Ladies by the famed French playwright Moliere in Chakeres Memorial Theatre on campus. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 24-26, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27.
Moliere’s play, written in 1672 and later translated by American poet Richard Wilbur, is the story of a middle-class Frenchman, Chrysale, his wife and their two daughters, all of whom have been deceived by a man named Trissotin, who plans to use their money to build an academy for women. Trissotin aspires to marry Henriette, the younger daughter, and thereby acquire a lovely and rich wife. Henriette has her own marriage plans, however, as she loves the poor but handsome Clitandre, who earlier courted her sister without success. The central conflict of the play concerns the husband’s sponsorship of one candidate for bridegroom while the wife supports the other.
Director Steve Reynolds, professor of theatre and dance, said that Moliere is one of his favorite playwrights. Reynolds tries to present a Moliere play at least once every four years so each generation of Wittenberg students can experience his work.
Cast members include senior Arnel Aurellano from Indianapolis, Ind.; juniors Shannon Anderson, Winter Haven, Fla., Jaime Nichelle Bemmes, Reading, Ohio, David Herzog, Springfield, Ohio, A.J. Kessler, Carrey, Ohio, and J. Judson Lohman, Saint Paul, Minn.; sophomores Dale Coburn, New Carlisle, Ohio, John Johnson, Bay Village, Ohio, Mark O’Brien, Shavertown, Pa., Meghan Eileen O’Brien, Fitchburg, Mass., and Kristina Tannenbaum, Lake Jackson, Texas; and first-year students Chris Felts, Bloomington, Ind. and Amanda Rollins from La Crescenta, Calif.
Tickets go on sale Monday, Feb. 14. They are $4 and may be purchased in advance at the Benhan-Pence Student Center Service Center, (937) 327-7443, or at the theatre at 905 Woodlawn Ave. one hour in advance of each performance.
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Release written by Marj Newman, Office of University Communications
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