For Immediate Release:

The Wedding Party on the Eiffel Tower
At Clarence Brown Lab Theater Feb. 11-14
                                                                                                                   

The Wedding Party on the Eiffel Tower, a zany romp by French playwright Jean Cocteau will open Thursday, Feb.11 and continue through Sunday, Feb. 14 with three evening and two matinee performances in the Clarence Brown Theater Lab Theater on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville.

It was just over a year ago that UTK senior theatre major Samantha Senn of Oak Ridge received the go ahead to direct and produce the play in the UT facility. It is an independent student production by Senn overseen by faculty advisor Casey Sams. All performances are open to the public free of charge.

Senn has performed on stage and worked in numerous staff and crew positions as well as directing short, five to 45 minute, films for classes.  Most recently she was the Assistant to the Director for both A Christmas Carol (2008) and The Triumph of Love in 2009. She had a directing class with Kate Buckley, UTK , and was a writer/director/actor for the classes’ final presentation, Anonymous Lives. 

Why did she choose this play, first performed in Paris in 1921?

“I was intrigued by the concept of both the show and the futurist movement as a whole,” she said thoughtfully. “The idea of reality versus a representation of reality is fascinating and the commentary provided on the mechanization of daily life is very relevant in today’s society.”

What exactly is the play about?

”Well,” the producer says, “It’s a one act play centering on a wedding reception gone terribly wrong. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, something else happens and any theories you had fly out the window. The entire cast’s lines are spoken by two Narrators who control the action on stage, and join in periodically. Although, as the show progresses they learn that they might not have as much control as they originally thought, or do they?”

There are lions, ostriches, mimes, dysfunctional families, a 320 square foot mural and a giant camera. There is even a song and dance routine!

Scenic Artist Kelsey Roy created the large mural backdrop for the show. In a blending of cubist and post impressionistic styles she has painted an impressive, colorful depiction of the Parisian skyline.  She and Senn are both 2006 ORHS grads. The other Oak Ridge participant in the show is Sandra Herrera, the Wig Mistress.

An artistic team of nine and a technical crew of four support the cast of 12.
 
There are evening performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11, 12 and 13, at 8 pm with matinee performances Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14, at 1:30 p.m. The house is open 30 minutes prior to each performance. Admission is free.   Additional information on the show is available at this Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=454867155520&ref=mf

Cast (In order of appearance)
First Narrator: Dana Parks; Second Narrator: Harrison Hayes; Ostrich: Clarissa Dufrense; Hunter/Telegram/Art Dealer: Adam Hutsell; Manager/Bathing Beauty: Molly Kessler; Photographer: Zach Parker; Bride: Alison Sculley; Groom: Seth Johnson; Mother-in-Law/Father-in-Law: Harrison Young; General: Jacob Baker; Child: Josh Cook; Lion/Art Collector:: Renee Hines.

Artistic Team
Director/Producer: Samantha Senn; Stage Manager: Jenna Purdy; Assistant Stage Manager: Amber Autry; Lighting Designer: Jason Heitt; Costume Designer: Natasha Koetsch; Sound Designer: Meg Deshaies; Set Designer: Samantha Senn; Scenic Artist: Kelsey Roy; Waltz Choreographer: Zach Parker; Wig Mistress: Sandra Herrera.