Wells College Students Present Comedy by Moliere

The Wells College Theatre Department proudly presents Moliere’s The Schemings of Scapin as this fall’s student drama production. The comedy will be featured on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall on the Aurora campus.

The Schemings of Scapin is one of Moliere's most clever comedies, a visually stunning production set in 16th century Italy and performed in the style of the commedia dell'arte troupes. Lush bold colors and textures come alive in this play brilliantly translated by Tim Mooney. The farce takes you along as Scapin, the schemer, dupes two pompous dull-witted wealthy gentlemen of their money, all while managing to convince them to approve the marriages of their children’s choice. Slapstick, pratfalls, and physical comedy prevail in this romping roller coaster ride.

Scapin is directed by Wells theatre professor Susan Forbes, with scenery and lights by technical director Joe DeForest and costumes by Judith Johnson of Ithaca. Movement style is handled by Wells professor of dance, Jeanne Goddard, who heads up the CRS Barn Studio of Ithaca.

Featured in the role of Scapin is New York actor, Brian Monahan. Monahan, a graduate of the Trinity Repertory Conservatory, has had such roles as Angel in Trinity Repertory Company’s The Cider House Rules, Caliban in The Tempest at the Serpent Child Ensemble, Renfield in Dracula at The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, and Topper in A Christmas Carol directed by Hangar Theatre’s Kevin Moriarity.

Regional actor Lesley Kennedy of Skaneateles will be seen in the role of Hyacinthe. Darlynne Stefanko of Ithaca trained under Forbes at Wells and is featured as Scapin’s sidekick, Sylvester. Ithaca College student Kim Dulchinos is dashing as the smitten lover, Octave.

Wells College students comprise the rest of the cast: Lily Cavanaugh of Ithaca is the self-centered father, Argante. Lauren Noyes of Albany plays the blustering fool father, Geronte. Kjrstn Barranti of Youngstown, Ohio feigns as the foppish lover, Leandre. Dana Finegan of New Oxford, PA, is saucy as the clever gypsy girl, Zerbinette. Sharon Gwozdz of Cleveland is seen as Carle, the dull-witted, stuttering servant. Diana V. Gallego of Brooklyn is the sexy and coy servant, Nerine. Zoe Malinchoch of Port Charles, Minnesota is lusciously long and lanky as the drunken porter and doubles as an assistant stage manager to Nandani Sinha of Montauk, NY.

Advance tickets are available from the box office beginning September 1 by calling 315/364-3456, by emailing boxoffice@wells.edu, or at the door the night of the show. Prices are $3 for students and senior citizens, $5 for the Wells community, $7 general public. For more information about the production, please contact professor Susan Forbes at 315/364-3232 or sforbes@wells.edu.

August, 2002

The Rise and Fall of the World Trade Center is the focus of artist Vince Grimaldi’s upcoming talk and photography exhibit at Wells College. The exhibition will be on display in the Long Library beginning September 9 and running through September 30. Grimaldi will also give a lecture at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 10 in the Art Exhibit Room, Macmillan Hall, on the Aurora campus. A reception for the artist will follow in the library. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend.

Intentionally scheduled to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the September 11 tragedies, the exhibit displays poignant images and captivating photographs of the Twin Towers before their demolition. Taken years before the attacks, Grimaldi “never thought they would be used in a show this way. I liked the way they looked juxtaposed, gleaming against some of the older buildings.”

Grimaldi, a New Yorker at heart, studied at the Art Students League in Manhattan before being drafted to Korea in 1951. Following the war, he enrolled in The New School to study photography, then did a three-year stint in Rome showing his work in local galleries. He returned to New York in 1967 and continued with his photography work, focusing on New York landmarks. Grimaldi moved to Providence in 1995.
 

In addition to his photographs, Grimaldi also paints and does box constructions and collages. His work hangs in the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, as well as the Tate Gallery in London. A portion of the proceeds from the World Trade Center shows go to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Manhattan, completely destroyed when Tower 2 collapsed a year ago.

The Long Library hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday noon to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to midnight. For more information about Vince Grimaldi and the exhibit or talk, please contact professor Susan Forbes at 315/364-3232 or sforbes@wells.edu.

August, 2002

Earlier Articles in Wells College News:

September, 2002	September, 2000. - May.,2001	May,1998	May - June,1997
August, 2002	September, 1999 - August, 2000	April,1998	March - April,1997
September, 2001. - May.,2002	August,1999	March,1998	February,1997
	May,1999	February,1998	November - December,1996
	April,1999	January,1998	October,1996
	February -March, 1999	December,1997	September,1996
	January,1999	November,1997	June - Aug.,1996
	Fall,1998	October,1997	May,1996
	August,1998	September,1997	April,1996
	June -July, 1998	July - August, 1997	February - March, 1996