‘Farce of Nature’ performance approaches

Lachlan Loudon, The Yellow Jacket

The fall play, “Farce of Nature,” will take the stage Nov. 6-9 in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Since the first week of September, cast members for the play have been rehearsing from 7-10 p.m. every weeknight. While this farce is a very different show from the university’s recent productions, the cast believes the rehearsals are going well as they pass the halfway mark.

“We have made an immense amount of progress,” said Connor Hoffman, senior children and youth ministry major. “It’s just learning the timing of the lines and everything like that and actually building relationships with each other; that’s the main thing we are trying to do.”

For Hoffman, this is his last play at Waynesburg this fall. He plays the role of Sonny Barbosa, a character Hoffman said has “similar attitudes” and “emotional issues” to himself. Hoffman would not reveal much about his role before the show hits the stage, but described Sonny Barbosa’s character as someone who “know[s] what he wants.”

 James Gallucci, sophomore pre-medical major, plays the role of Carmine DeLuca and is very confident with the quality of the show so far.

“I feel like everyone has [become] accustomed to their part really well, I think everyone knows their lines, and the blocking is looking pretty stellar at this point,” Gallucci said. “I really think we’re ready to put it up in about three days, honestly.”

The set is complete, due to a singular setting for the show, and the cast is already getting into character with costumes.

The cast noticed director Eddie Powers’ ease in handling this production.

“It’s definitely more fun doing a comedy with [Eddie] than a [serious] musical … but I will say, the play has revitalized this man, it’s like a breath of life has been breathed into him. He is at the top of his game,” Gallucci said. “He’s giving us direction on how to do comedy: fast-paced, slow-paced, medium-paced.”

“He has a good time with it,” sophomore Eden Koldys said. “He can bend the script and make it his own, and it still works.”

Koldys will be playing the role of Lola Barbosa, Sonny Barbosa’s wife. Her character is from Chicago and has a sarcastic, passive aggressive tone. The cast members describe on-stage and off-stage chemistry as key factors to perfect the show as it approaches in a few weeks.

“[We need to] drop any relationship we have outside of theater and be more serious while we’re there,” Koldys said.

“Farce is a very high-energy show,” Hoffman said. “So, if you don’t have a good trust in the co-actors, then you’re not going to be on point with where you need to be.”

The next few weeks of rehearsals will consist of finalizing blocking and working out any knots. The cast will then go through dress rehearsals and prepare for a live audience.