Dickinson State University Theatre Department is presenting William Shakespeare's "Love's Labours Lost" on Feb 15-18 in Dorothy Stickney Auditorium.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
One of the bard's early comedies, this play examines the foolishness of trying to stifle love, the most fundamental of human emotions.
Set in 1930's Hollywood rather than Elizabethan England, this version of the classic play tells the story of a king and his three cronies who vow to give up women and pursue only academic studies for three years.
No sooner do they make this commitment, than four beautiful women wander in...and fine intentions wander out. The men attempt to woo the women with a series of typically male maneuvers, only to have the women outfox them at every turn.
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The four gentlemen of the court are played by Todd Selle as Ferdinand, Jacob Mack as Biron, Bradley Auch as Longaville and Jake Dworshak as Dumain.
They are matched wit for wit by Beth L. Hurt as Princess, Lydia Johnson as Rosaline, Alexandra Kreidt as Katharine and Jaylee Joki as Maria, as the four lovely ladies.
While the couples sort out their feelings, the atmosphere is enlivened by Don Adriano de Armado and his servant Moth. These clowns are portrayed by two veterans of the DSU stage, Michael Stevenson and Don Ehli.
Jarvis Jahner, Josh Nichols, Caleb Marmon, Troy Kuntz, Jessica Baseflug, Amy Tichy and Mary Ryan round out the cast.
Jahner designed a lovely Spanish style hotel patio as the setting for the play.
The costumes were designed by Pattie Carr, instructor of fine and performing arts, and Denver Bethel, the same team who created the costumes for "Urinetown" earlier this year.
Swing era music adds sparkle to the performance.
"'Love's Labour's Lost' is a delightful comedy," said Ron Gingerich, associate professor of theater, who is directing the play. "It's challenging for the actors because it's a carnival of words from beginning to end."
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"Every night at rehearsal, they discover something new in the characters' relationships because this play is about the verbal interplay between the characters as they try to sort our their feelings about love," he added.
This play is not recommended for children. To prevent distractions in the audience, please do not bring infants and toddlers into the theatre.
Reservations may be made weekdays in May Hall 207 or by calling 483-2154.
