Danton's Death Trailer is now online

Danton's Death PR pics!

Danton's Death

Rehearsal are underway for Todd Theatre's production of Buchner's French revolutionary drama "Danton's Death". At the helm is guest director David Kennedy who brings an abstract and evocative take on the German classic. Written in 1835 by the then 22 year old Georg Buchner, the play follows the revolutionary demagogue Georges Danton through his final days as he is tried and executed at the behest of the cruelly euphemistic Committee of Public Safety, the ruling authority in France during the Reign of Terror of 1793-1794. (Body count: 16 000 to 40 000) . On the surface the play is a timely story of political intrigue, but beneath lies a profound exploration of existential fatalism as embodied by Danton's contemplation and eventual acceptance of his death beneath the guillotine. Powerful stuff.

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"Danton's Death" runs from December 3rd through the 12th.
Tickets are available online through Todd Theatre's sick website.

Opening Night

So this morning, I thought to myself wouldn't it be great if this Illusion play was finally costumed, teched, and ready to go. Guess what! It is. In less than four hours we will be hitting the stage to perform for actual paying audience members. Speaking of which... Are you a paying audience member? If not you should hop over to our website and buy tickets. We run until October 17th, so you'd better hurry. It'll knock your socks off.

Costuming the Illusion

Costume designer Arnulfo Mald0nado's vision for The Illusion has all but been realized. Seeing as this is the first fully period production performed at the U of R in many years, the undertaking was substantial. The costume shop has resembled something of a sweatshop over the last few days as student interns cranked out corsets, bustles, and doublets for the upcoming production. - Above Wardrobe Coordinator Nadine Taylor waits at attention by the machine.

Rehearsing "The Illusion"

The rehearsal process for the Illusion continues. Less than a week now until the show opens on the 8th of October. The video above sophomore Kevin McCarthy, who plays the role of the aged Pridamant, as he receives direction from artistic director Nigel Maister. Pridamant is something of an audience member himself who bears witness to the vivid and often grotesque illusions of the magician Alcandre in hope of finding his long lost son.

More ILLUSION photos!

See the new slide show with ILLUSION publicity shots below!

The Illusion: The Designers Run

The University of Rochester International Theater Program's production of Tony Kushner's adaptation of "The Illusion" by Pierre Corneille hit the stage for its first rehearsed run-through yesterday. As with every Todd Theater production, about midway through the rehearsal process, a rough run of the show is performed for the professional design team. Yesterday's run went well, despite a few dropped lines and mis-parried rapier blades. (It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.)

The design team for "The Illusion" includes the talents of Thomas Dunn, lights, Will Pickens, sound, Arnulfo Maldunado, costumes, and fight choreography by J. David Brimmer.

The importance of these seasoned technical theater professionals to the U of R's Theater program cannot be overstated. They provide students studying stage management, set construction, light, and sound the opportunity to learn from their example. Us student actors also get a kickback from this arrangement; we look pretty darn good under those lights.

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"The Illusion" splashes down October 8-10 and 14-17 for your viewing pleasure at TODD THEATER. - check out our website for tickets and details.
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- half japanese half bike is a student actor at the U of R.

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The Illusion - Fight Choreography

The fantastic fight director, J. David Brimmer spent the day working on the sword fights with Clindor (Doug Zeppenfeld) and Adraste (Phil Dumouchel).  Check out the photos (slideshow is below)! Videos below, and more to come.