Published: October 15, 2009 11:55 pm      

University theater presentation is an interesting mixture of short stories

COMMERCE — From the acerbic wit of Dorothy Parker in “The Waltz” to a woman learning of the tragic fate of her husband in Kate Chopin’s “The Dream of an Hour” to an old East Texas folk tale about a bride who turns out to be a Boo Hag, the Texas A&M-Commerce University Players present an eclectic mix of adapted short stories and poems by North American authors on the main stage of the Performing Arts Center.

Dr. John Hanners selected, adapted and staged various literary works for an original performance piece called “American Mosaic: Classic Chamber Theatre Tales.”

The engrossing and highly entertaining play features five actors, Ben Ozuna, Rowdy Tidwell, Kady Smith, Kasey Thompson and Eugenia Menz, who portray more than 30 characters. Unlike traditional theatre, the intimate style of chamber theatre calls for the action to take place in the audience’s mind rather than onstage. Boosting imagination, the technique allows spectators to find themselves drawn into the life of the characters.

Hanners and his versatile troupe of performers involve us in the touching, witty, satiric, ironic, playful, supernatural and profound tales.

Songwriters Tracy Chapman and Leonard Cohen are represented by “Fast Car” and “Suzanne.”

With its heartrending imagery, Robert Frost’s poem “The Death of the Hired Man” evokes emotion, while Max Shulman’s “Love Is a Fallacy, a “marvy” comedy about romance, logic and a raccoon coat, tickles the funny bone.

The enigmatic “The Woman Who Turned into a Fish” by Nin Andrews concludes with a whopper of a surprise.

Stephen Leacock’s ESP saga, “Q: A Psychic Pstory of the Psupernatural,” concerns an inter-astral experiment whereby the deceased “Q” makes himself available for psychic communication. Actually, the spirit of “Q” seems to show up for more mundane purposes.

In addition to director Hanners, the crew includes lighting designer T.J. Goebig, scenic designer Jacob Layton, hair and makeup designer Samantha Grace, costume designer Donna Deverell, sound designer M. Knight Jr. and stage manager Renee Caldwell.

“American Mosaic: Classic Chamber Theatre Tales” continues at the University Playhouse today and Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are buy-one-get-one-free as part of “Cheap Date Nights.”

For ticket information, call the University Box Office at 903-886-5900.



Reese is entertainment writer for the Herald-Banner.