By Kandice Harris
Special to The Item
HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Big Love” by Charles L. Mee in the University Theatre Center Showcase theatre. Show dates are Tuesday, April 6, through Saturday, April 10, at 8 p.m. There is also a matinee on Saturday, April 10, at 2 p.m..
“Big Love” is a modern retelling of Aeschylus’ The Suppliant Woman. Fifty sisters flee to a villa on the Italian coast in order to escape from their arranged marriages. The brides are pursued by 50 grooms and are forced into marriage.
Beset by this problem of marriage, the brides, devise a plan to “take care” of the situation. “Big Love” explores the themes of love, sexuality, masculinity, feminism and social expectations.
In an interesting twist the role of the three main brides and grooms are double cast and each performance will feature a different ensemble of wedding party.
The cast includes musical theatre majors Whitney Coulter (Olympia), Jared Cummings (Leo), Adrianna Jones (Lydia), Kristina Kee (Lydia), Max Pierce (Oed), Cole Ryden (Nikos), Liz Tinder (Olympia), and Kim Truncale (Eleanor).
The cast also includes theatre majors Josh Fehrmann (Constantine), Allegra Fox (Thyona), Calvin Hudson (Giuliano), Trey Kroon (Oed), Patrick Massey (Nikos), Aaron Phillips (Piero), Carlos Salinas (Constantine), Katie Stefaniak (Bella), and Autumn Woods (Thyona).
“Big Love” is directed and sound designed by SHSU theatre faculty Dr. David McTier. The production is designed by SHSU theatre majors Veronica LaCombe (Costumes) and Jeff Lindquist (Lights/Set/Props). The stage manager is SHSU theatre education major Brittni Merritt.
Tickets are $8 for general admission. “Big Love” contains adult content and language. Children under the age of three will not be admitted.
For more information, call the University Theatre Center Box Office at (936) 294-1339.
