"Big Love" opens April 1 at GVSU

Sent to 42 Arts Media Mary Isca Pirkola News & Information Services Grand Valley State University 260 Lake Michigan Hall Allendale, MI 49401 616-331-2228 >>> [email protected] 03/23/05 2:33 PM >>> For Immediate Release March 23, 2005 Contacts: Mary Isca Pirkola, News & Information Services at 616-331-2221 or [email protected]. Two scene photos available. Karen Libman, "Big Love" director at 616-331-3510 or [email protected] "Big Love" opens April 1 at GVSU An award-winning comedy of tragic proportion Grand Valley State University's Theatre Arts program brings to the stage a classical look at modern-day love in their season finale, "Big Love." Playwright Charles L. Mee has transformed the tale of arranged marriage in the ancient Greek tragedy "The Suppliant Women" into an explosive comedy that looks at power, relationships, gender roles and taking care of each other. "Big Love" April 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m. April 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus Ticket information at end of news release Fifty soon-to-be brides rebel against a marriage contract arranged by their fathers that would marry them off to their 50 cousins. The women decide to defend themselves and their newfound freedom by any means necessary and the nuptials end in carnage, mayhem, and flying wedding cake. By turns humorous, violent, and touching, "Big Love" combines sizzling dialogue, slapstick, soaring poetry, pop songs, suspense and more to paint a startling picture of the relationships between men and women and the nature of love in our time. Mee has taken the angst hidden in all of us and externalized it on the stage with zealous scenes that both shock and delight audiences. Adult language and situations may not be suitable for all audiences. "This play is very funny, yet it is no light comedy," said director Karen Libman. "It asks hard questions like: What happens when a group of people are disempowered, making them so desperate they feel the need to lash out? Who should choose marriage partners? And what can we do about the refugee situation?" Sets are stylized and minimalist; little more appears on stage with the actors than a bathtub, a piano, tables and chairs, yet they provide all that is necessary for the wedding, reception, murder and trial. Sets and lights are designed by GVSU faculty member Alfred Sheffield, and costumes by Jill Dole Hamilton. Choreography is by Sherrie Barr, a Dance department visiting professor and Senior Theatre and Dance major, Christian Vigrass. The cast consists of eleven principles and 36 brides and grooms. The actors are from a variety of academic majors beyond theatre. "The play is very relevant and accessible to any and all types of relationships, including family themes," says Libman. "I hope audiences have a good time laughing, but also come away with some thoughtfulness about their own relationships." All performances are presented in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. Tickets are $12/public, $10/alumni & staff, $6/students available from the Theatre Box Office in Grand Valley's Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus, 12-5 p.m. weekdays or contact Star Tickets Plus at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737, online at www.starticketsplus.com, or at any Star Tickets Plus outlet in the region. For more information call (616) 331-2300. Related events: Prior to the 4/8 Friday and 4/9 Saturday performances of Big Love, a pre-performance conversation on the play's origins will be held by Classics Department Professors Peter Anderson and Diane Rayor. This event is free. 6:30 p.m. Louis Armstrong Theatre in the Performing Arts Center. 4/6 Wednesday In conjunction with Big Love, a panel discussion of marriage and the true nature of love titled The Trial of Marriage? will be presented. This event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Grand Valley Women's Center. 4 p.m. Louis Armstrong Theatre in the Performing Arts Center. 4/8 Friday and 4/9 Saturday The Classics Department will present a staged reading on the original Greek model for Big Love, Aeschylus' The Suppliant Women, by students from the ancient drama class. 4:30 p.m. Louis Armstrong Theatre in the Performing Arts Center.