Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 25, 2003|Volume 31, Number 27

The production of "Changes of Heart" will feature period costumes, as illustrated here by the costume designer's sketch of Harlequin.

Play explores transformations brought
about by 'Changes of Heart'

Familiar characters take new risks in love in the School of Drama's next production, Pierre Carlet de Marivaux's "Changes of Heart," which runs April 28-May 3 at the University Theatre, 222 York St.

In Marivaux's comedy about human nature, Harlequin's sweetheart Silvia has been kidnapped by the pining Prince, who hopes to win her affections. As Harlequin pursues Silvia to the prince's court, the chaotic exchanging of hearts becomes an intricate social dance that will either reunite or recombine lovers.

The play explores "the deep changes within the human spirit when one dares to love the person one could not imagine loving," says Susan Finque, a final-year School of Drama student who will direct the production. The play was translated and adapted by Stephen Wadsworth, whose translations of Marivaux have brought the French playwright into the mainstream repertoire of the American theater. He is currently directing his translation of Marivaux's "The Triumph of Love" at the Long Wharf Theatre.

Finque and the designers for "Changes of Heart" have set the play in the period in which it was written, pre-Enlightenment France, concurring with Wadsworth's view that "you can construct an elegant, visually 'traditional' production in period dress and still do really aggressive, radical, invasive work."

Miravaux lived in France from 1688 to 1763. He wrote several plays for La Comèdie Française and La Comèdie Italienne. Many of his characters are developed from the common stock characters of Italian improvised theater, such as Harlequin, who appears in several of Marivaux's plays, including "The Triumph of Love" and "Changes of Heart." The French word marivaudage (fastidiousness in literary style or expression) grew from the nuanced language and wordplay that is characteristic of Marivaux's work.

Finque's past School of Drama productions include "and jesus moonwalks on the mississippi" and "Macbeth." At the Yale Cabaret she has directed "(L)imitations of Life" and she acted in "Endgame." Prior to attending the drama school, she was co-artistic director of Seattle's Alice B. Theatre. Her direction there was distinctive for its multi-racial and multi-lingual ensembles, unique collaborations and site-specific stagings. Her solo work "T/S Crossing: A Movement Theatrework on Transsexuality" received critical acclaim and toured nationally.

"Changes of Heart" features Phyllis Johnson as Silvia; Stefani Katarina Cvijetic as Flaminia; Gabrielle Castellini as Lisette; Kevin Rich as Harlequin; Jeffrey Withers as Trivelin; Jacob Blumer as The Prince; and Allen Read as The Lord. The artistic team for the production includes scenic designer Sandra Goldmark, costume designer Anne Kenney, lighting designer Bryan Keller and sound designer Philip Peglow. The team also includes dramaturgs Adrien-Alice Hansel and Rachel Rusch, stage manager Stephanie Pearlman and technical director Nick Bria.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, with an additional 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Individual ticket prices range from $15-$18. Discounted rates for students, seniors and groups are available. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Yale Repertory Theatre box office at (203) 432-1234.

The School of Drama will offer a variety of special events at no additional cost. A pre-show discussion with members of the creative team will take place before the performance on Monday, April 28, and the May 3 matinee performance will feature RE:Play, a post-show discussion with the director and members of the cast.

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