EXPECT BIG LAUGHS AT UNIVERSITY THEATRE PRODUCTION OF 'GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR'
A Russian town will be turned upside down when Old Dominion University Theatre presents Nikolai Gogal's timeless comedy, "The Government Inspector," running this weekend.
The show runs March 2-4 at the University Theatre, located at the corner of Hampton Boulevard and 46th Street. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Written in 1836, this madcap farce, featuring some of the zaniest characters ever on stage, looks at corruption, bribery and mistaken identity � all to hilarious effect.
The conniving mayor of a remote town gets word that a government inspector is coming from the capital to lower the boom on incompetence. A bevy of bungling city officials writhe and twist as they attempt to put the town's best foot forward � unfortunately it is clad in a muddy boot! When a mysterious stranger arrives, two local yokels assume he is the "inspector," and the fun really begins.
Guest artist Mark Olsen, a renowned movement coach who has taught movement classes and workshops at such prestigious institutions as Penn State University and Carnegie-Mellon University and at The Public Theatre's Summer Shakespeare Lab, is helping the cast of student-actors adjust to the physical demands of their roles. Some must wear costume pieces that dramatically alter their physical make-up and have needed to re-learn movement.
Theatre faculty member Christopher Hanna is the show's director, while colleagues Woody Robinson, Konrad Winters and Derek Gagnier are handling scenic design, lighting design and vocal coaching, respectively. Guest artist Angela Winters is the costume designer.
"This production incorporates both verbal and physical comedy on a grand scale," said Hanna. "It's provided our students an opportunity to combine slapstick comedy with classical theatre for a new and exciting experience."
Tickets are $10 general admission, $7.50 for students and $6 for Old Dominion students with ID. For reservations or more information call 683-5305.