From Feb. 18-21, NU Theatre will present The Maids by Jean Genet. The production will be directed by Dr. Henrik Borgstrom, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The premise of the show is that two sisters, deeply resentful of their inferior social position, attempt to take revenge against society by destroying their employer. Their secretive routine ultimately leads to unanticipated consequences.
The Maids caused a scandal when it opened in Paris in 1947 for its stark portrayal of seething working class discontent. Following the sisters as they weave through past and present, fiction and fantasy, their ritual becomes reality when they are confronted with the ultimate transgressions of despair, hatred and jealousy.
“Genet had initially proposed to cast male actors, and to post signs in the theatre to that effect so as to remind the audience not necessarily to believe what they see,” noted Dr. Borgstrom. “I am venturing a somewhat different casting experiment in this NU production, one which I hope will take full advantage of the playful deception that is the illusion of the theatre.”
The Maids will be on stage in the Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, and at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20. A 2 p.m. matinee will be held at the theatre on Saturday, Feb. 20, and Sunday, Feb. 21, with a post-show discussion following Sunday’s performance.
Costume, hair and make-up design is by Maureen T. Stevens, associate professor/costume, hair and makeup designer. Set design is by associate professor/scenic designer and production manager David Dwyer. Stage manager is theatre design/production major Jordan Grimble of Albion, N.Y. Assistant stage manager is theatre performance major Alexander Utz of Williamsville, N.Y.
Niagara University theatre performance majors who are in the cast include Kathleen Macari (Claire 1) of Troy, N.Y.; Britini D’Angelo (Claire 2) of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Amanda Funiciello (Claire 3) of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; Kayla Storto (Solange 1) of Orchard Park, N.Y.; Clarissa Maloy (Solange 2) of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Arianne Davidow (Solange 3) of Clarence Center, N.Y.; and Colleen Pine (Madame) of Indian Pine, N.Y.
For more information and tickets, please visit http://theatre.niagara.edu.