Ohio Northern University’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts will present “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” from Oct. 22-25 at 7:30 p.m. There also will be two matinee performances on Oct. 24 and 25 at 2 p.m.
“The Two Gentlemen of Verona” is a charming early comedy from William Shakespeare that features two best friends looking to make their way in the world. When Proteus follows his friend Valentine to Milan, he falls for his pal’s girl, therein prompting that age-old conflict between love and friendship. Adding to the plot are a girl who disguises herself as a boy to follow her guy, love letters, love songs and a clown with a dog named Crab.
The play is under the direction of Dean Gabourie. He has been creating challenging theatre in Canada and abroad for more than 25 years. He is a director, teacher, actor, writer and founding artistic director of the award-winning ACME Theatre Co. Gabourie also held positions as founding co-artistic director of “the CO” and assistant/associate artistic director of the world-renowned Stratford Festival. He earned acclaim for his direction of productions of Albee, Havel, Odets and Shakespeare.
Two student designers are included in the large student company for this production. Jordan Kimes, a senior theatre design and international production major from Lexington, Ohio; serves as scenic designer, and Jennifer Giangola, a senior theatre design and international production major from Ashtabula, Ohio; serves as costume designer. Allison Becker, a senior theatre major from Dallas, Texas, serves as student dramaturg as well. “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” will be staged in the Freed Center's Studio Theatre, arranged unconventionally with cafe tables and chairs, sure to add to the interactive, theatrical fun of the experience
The cast includes Sybil Ann Anast (Sylvia), a sophomore musical theatre and communications major from Findlay, Ohio; Madeline Chitty (Showgirl), a senior musical theatre major with an art minor from Charleston, S.C.; Josh Heard (Valentine), a junior musical theatre major with a dance minor from Fremont, Ohio; Talia Heskett (Julia), a sophomore musical theatre major from Los Angeles, Calif.; Haley Noelle Holtje (Showgirl), a sophomore musical theatre major with a dance minor from Friendswood, Texas; Sarah Keune (The Dame of Milan), a senior musical theatre major from Perrysburg, Ohio; Annie Liskow (Lance), a sophomore musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas; Tyler Matanick (Antonio), a senior musical theatre major from Toledo, Ohio; Alecia Pagnotta (First Outlaw), sophomore musical theatre major from Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Patrick Plucinsky (Turio), a senior musical theatre major from Solon, Ohio; Emily Schmid (Lucetta), a sophomore musical theatre major from Raleigh, N.C.; Nick Sobotka (Pantino), a sophomore musical theatre major from Elyria, Ohio; Timothy Ryan Swaim (Speed), a senior musical theatre major from Oregon, Ohio; Samantha Tilton (Showgirl) a sophomore theatre major with a dance minor from Lowell, Ohio; Eli A. Underwood (Sir Eglamour), a sophomore communication studies and theatre double major from Urbana, Ohio; Nick Wheeler (Third Outlaw), a sophomore theatre major from Mt. Vernon, Ohio; and Kyle Wilkerson (Proteus), a sophomore musical theatre major from Alpharetta, Ga.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors. Tickets are $10 for ONU faculty and staff and $5 for ONU students and children. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com.
