'The Game of Love and Chance' Takes Stage at the Black Box Theatre
Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts’ (CCA) second theater show of the season, The Game of Love and Chance, hits the Black Box Theatre stage Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Black Box Theatre is located in the Chase Fine Arts Center, Room 224, on USU’s Logan campus.
“I think it’s a great love story and I think that alone should attract people,” said Jason Spelbring, assistant professor in the Department of Theater Arts in the CCA and director of the show. “It’s just a really well written, charming French play.”
Written by Pierre de Marivaux in 1703, The Game of Love and Chance is an 18th century romantic comedy based on the lives of two destined lovers who, through a twist of fate, fall in love despite disguise, distrust and deceit.
“The lady of the house, Silvia, and the maid of the house, Lisette, switch roles,” said Spelbring. “The lord and valet of another house, Dorante and Harlequin, also switch roles. They all meet each other without knowing there has been a switch. They can’t fall in love because they’re pretending to be people they aren’t, and until their true identities are revealed, the game of love turns into the game of chance.”
Spelbring said Dorante trusts his heart and follows it, while Silvia denies what her heart is saying.
“It becomes a battle of the hearts and being true to who you are and how you feel,” said Spelbring. “It’s a lovely period piece.”
Aside from training actors and exposing them to different styles of theater, Spelbring also said the play is a great opportunity for the costume shop and set designers to work on a period piece. He said the costume and make up department is producing amazing detail, and creating everything ranging from several of the period costumes to wigs from scratch.
“The period wigs are made out of a raffia-like paper that can be cut, styled and sculpted,” said Spelbring. “This is our American translation of a French play with a contemporary vibe.”
The Game of Love and Chance is a true to life period piece in a very intimate space.
“When people sit in that theater they’re going to see everything from the hemlines on the costumes to the detail of the makeup,” said Spelbring. “This is a chance for people to peek in on this estate in France.”
Spelbring believes The Game of Love and Chance begs the question of trusting your heart or trusting your gut.
“Which one do you lead with?” asks Spelbring. “Ultimately, in the end, the heart always wins, and I think it’s true of this play too.”
The Game of Love and Chance is showing Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre. A 2 p.m. matinee joins the schedule Saturday, Nov. 1. Additionally, an informal “Talk Back” session immediately follows the Oct. 30 performance. The Talk Back includes the actors, designers and director and patrons can ask questions about the performance.
Tickets are $13 adults, $10 seniors and youth, $8 USU faculty and staff and free for USU students with ID. For more information or tickets, contact the CCA Box Office in room L101 of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022, or see the college’s Production Services website.
Related links:
Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu
Writer: Whitney Schulte, 435-797-9203, whitney.schulte@usu.edu
Preparing for "The Game of Love and Change" are Hongji Zhu (left), MFA costume design student; Jennifer Schwartzman (center) another MFA costume design student; and actress Shannon Peters, a BFA acting major. (photos by Andrew McAllister)
Elaborate period costumes have been designed for the production. Hongji Zhu (right) and Katherne Park Eborn, a BFA costume design student, work on another costume fitting with Kyra Sorenson (left), a BFA acting major in the production.
TOPICS
Theatre 91storiesComments and questions regarding this article may be directed to the contact person listed on this page.
