Utah State University Heads Back in Time with the Play 'Twentieth Century'
Ride back in time with the Utah State Theatre in the play Twentieth Century Dec. 1-3 and 7-10, 7:30 p.m., at the Morgan Theatre in the Chase Fine Arts Center on Utah State University’s campus. The production is presented by USU’s Theatre Arts Department.
“This is a screwball comedy presenting unique comedic timing challenges as well as demanding stylish acting choices,” said Leslie Brott, the play’s director and head of the acting program in the theatre arts department. “Besides being fun to do, the production offers generous training opportunities for the actors.”
Set in two 1930s luxury drawing rooms and the observation lounge of the Twentieth Century Limited train, a flamboyant theater producer, Oscar Jaffe, is trying to convince his old flame, Lily Garland, to sign an acting contract. Meanwhile, Oscar is doing his best to ward off a would-be playwright, Lily’s boyfriend, a producer and a religious fanatic, among others on the train as he attempts to seal a deal with Lily.
Oscar Jaffe is played by Jason Craig West, a USU theater education major. Lily Garland is played by Mackenzie VanEngelenhoven, a history major with a minor in theater.
“Oscar is a larger than life character who has a roller coaster of emotions,” said West. “Regardless of his eccentric behavior, he is truly a theater genius.”
Twentieth Century, by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, is based on a play by Charles Bruce Millholland in a new adaptation by Ken Ludwig.
USU’s production of Twentieth Century is rated “I” for intermediate and is recommended for children 13 and older.
Tickets are $13 general admission, $10 seniors and youth, $8 USU faculty and staff and free for USU students with ID. For more information and tickets visit the CCA Box Office located in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center on USU’s campus, call 435-797-8022 or go online at the Caine College of the Arts’ website.
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Writer: Rachelle Nielson, 435-797-9203, rachelle.nielson@usu.edu
Contact: Denise Albiston, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu
Utah State Theatre, the production organization in USU's Theatre Arts Department, presents "Twentieth Century" Dec. 1-3 and 7-10, 7:30 p.m. at the Morgan Theatre, Chase Fine Arts Center.
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