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Berea College Theatre Laboratory continues its 2004-2005 season with
the opening Friday, Feb. 11, of Eduardo De Filippo’s Saturday,
Sunday, Monday, a delightful story about an Italian family’s preparation
for the big Sunday dinner and the drama that ensues.
The performance will begin at 8 p.m. in the McGaw Theatre of the Jelkyl
Drama Center. Additional performances, also starting at 8 p.m., are
Feb. 12, and 16-19.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday is a heartwarming comedy about a large Italian
family in Naples. Three generations are preparing for the family meal
on Sunday. The kitchen and dining table are the heart of this household
and serve to remind us that food, its preparation and enjoyment, equals
love. Each one is quirky, boisterous and completely unforgettable.
The play is directed by Dr. Albert DeGiacomo, who has announced his
retirement from Berea College to pursue ordained ministry. During his
years at Berea, he has directed many successful, diverse productions
including Camelot, Playboy of the Western World, Proof and Look Homeward,
Angel.
“Saturday, Sunday, Monday reminds me, in particular, of my own
growing up in a dramatic Italian-American family,” says DeGiacomo. “De
Filippo's characters remind me especially of my father's side of the
family: all their emotions in high relief, slightly larger than life,
and every situation dramatized. All of the dramatic, theatrical instincts
I possess come from my father's side of the family, and it was, indeed,
my father who introduced me to the theatre when I was a boy, aged 11.”
The cast of Saturday, Sunday, Monday, features a diverse group of
students, faculty and community members. Shan R. Ayers, associate professor
and director of design and technology for the Theatre Laboratory, portrays
Don Antonio Piscopo, the patriarch of the family. He will also design
the scenery and lighting for the production. Ayers was last featured
as Pellinore in Camelot and may be best remembered as Willy Loman in
Death of a Salesman. Mary Garcia Startzman (Aunt Meme) returns to the
Berea College Theatre after a 15-year hiatus. She was last seen as
Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs, and also has given memorable performances
in Summer In Smoke, The Winter’s Tale and King Lear.
Gregory Andis, a long-time producer, actor and technician of over
100 productions regionally, was last seen as Merlin in Camelot; he
portrays Michele, Aunt Meme’s son. Clinton Hines plays Peppino,
Antonio Piscopo’s son. Clinton was last seen in Boys Next Door
and Art.
“This is truly a community event,” says Deborah Martin,
Director of the Theatre Laboratory. “Dr. DeGiacomo has brought
many people together from in and outside the campus to make this a
wonderful, heartwarming production. It is his gift to us all.”
Tickets for Saturday, Sunday, Monday range in price from $5 to $10
and can be reserved by calling the Box Office at (859) 985-3300. Berea
College students are admitted free of charge. The production is suitable
for children and families.
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