"Scams of Scapin" to begin April 29

A&M-Commerce's University Playhouse will present the comedy "Scams of Scapin" April 29 – May 2.

As stated in an April 7 university press release: "The original play was written by 17th century French playwright, Moliere. The modern adaptation is from Albert Bermel and features intertwining plot lines involving young love, with complications becoming apparent when the mischievous Scapin becomes involved."

Box office manager and graduate theater student Holly Stone is directing the play, which is entirely student-produced, and said people are likely to pronounce Scapin (SKUH'-pan) incorrectly.

"People will mispronounce it because of how it's spelled," she said. "It's a French pronunciation of an Italian name."

According to Stone, Moliere's "Scams of Scapin" is performed in a particular "style."

"The style of theater is called ‘commedia dell-arte,'" she said. "It's an active farce kind of style, with characters that are more extreme and funny, and stuff like that. The movements are more exaggerated than what we consider realistic theater…it's meant to be over the top. If anyone enjoys cartoons, they'll love this type of show."

Stone said not many people outside of theater know about Moliere.

"If Shakespeare is what we think he is to tragedy, Moliere is to comedy," she said. "I call him the ‘artist of comedy.'"

Theater major Micah Haynes is playing the lead role as Scapin.

"Playing Scapin and working with Holly Stone as a director has really been a wonderful experience," he said. "I've really enjoyed being introduced to a new style of acting, as well as, gaining the knowledge of the Comedia acting style. I'm really looking forward to seeing the audience's reactions to the show."

Stone said audiences can expect an engaging experience.

"There's a lot of audience interaction, so people can expect characters coming into the audience, touching the audience, talking to the audience," Stone said. "They should prepare for that, but it'll be fun, no one's going to make you come up and perform. Don't be too afraid."

Stone said familiarity and harmony among the cast is essential to effectively portraying the play's comical element.

"We have a really tight-knit cast," she said. "We like to hang out with each other and spend time with each other, which is very important for this type of show. If you don't get to know your cast members, the comedy isn't going to work at all, and that's the main point of this show."

The play will also feature 17th century costumes.

"It's not your normal style of wear, it's around the 1660s, the period we've set the play in," Stone said. "So we've got women in multi-layer dresses with bodices, men with breeches, and everyone wears pantyhose."

Assistant costume shop supervisor and senior theater major Samantha Grace said it has been "really fun" to design the costumes, but seeing the finished product is the most rewarding aspect of the process.

"My favorite part is to see the costumes in movement and in action," she said.

According to Stone, handmade props will include wooden swords and daggers, and slapsticks, as well as a "two-story" set.

"It's a feast for the eyes," she said.

Stone encourages patrons to reserve their tickets soon.

"Tickets are actually selling really, really fast right now," she said. "We're getting close to selling out for the first night. We're only doing a one week run, so we are really pushing for people to call or e-mail us ahead of time."

According to Stone, plays usually run for two successive weekends, but "Scams of Scapin" will have a shorter run because of finals week.

"We wanted the students to still be able to get this last play in, but still be able to study for finals week," she said.

Tickets are $3 for students, $8 for senior citizens and $10 for non-student adults. Performances will be held in the studio theater of the Performing Arts Center April 29-May 1 at 8 p.m., and May 2 at 3 p.m. For reservations and further information call 903-886-5900 or e-mail playhouseboxoffice@tamu-commerce.edu.