[NEohioPAL]Wooster presents "Mrs. Warren's Profession"

[Sig38091 at aol.com]

Department of Theatre to Present Mrs. Warren's Profession

Contact: John Finn
330-263-2145
For Immediate Release

February 18, 2005

WOOSTER, Ohio - The College of Wooster's Department of Theatre will present Mrs. Warren's Profession, a social commentary on prostitution and the role of women in society by legendary playwright George Bernard Shaw, Feb. 25-27 and March 3-5. Each of the performances will be staged in Shoolroy Theatre, which is adjacent to Freedlander Theatre (329 E. University St.), beginning at 8:15 p.m., with the exception of the Feb. 27 showing, which starts at 5 p.m.

Written in 1894, Shaw's controversial and poignant script remains surprisingly relevant today. The play features Vivie Warren, an independent and well-educated young woman whose ideals clash with those of her worldly mother. The conflict arises when Vivie, played by Claire Long, learns that her mother's rise from rags to riches resulted from her involvement in the world's oldest profession and her subsequent role as a Madame for a chain of brothels. Mrs. Warren, played by Andrea Hiebler, rationalizes her past by arguing that poverty and the society that fosters it are the real villains, and that life in a brothel is far more desirable than life in a 19th century factory. Ultimately, Vivie must choose between pleasing her mother and sacrificing her own ideals or forsaking her mother and achieving an identity separate from the expectations placed on her by family and society.

"Shaw argues that society forces poor women into prostitution," says Ansley Valentine, assistant professor of theatre and director of the production. "It's not a moral choice, according to Shaw. Instead, it's a decision based on economics and opportunity."

Originally banned from traditional theatres because of its content, Shaw was forced to stage the play for small gatherings in private homes and theatrical societies. Valentine will attempt to recreate that atmosphere with a similar setting, one that will include an invitation to selected audience members to play the role of patron on stage.

"It's a play within a play," says Valentine. "Eventually it was performed widely, but we are hoping to show how it might have been staged in the parlor of someone's home."

Set in a secluded country cottage, the four-act play takes place over the course of a weekend when Vivie visits her mother and discovers the truth about the origin of her wealth, thus creating a moral dilemma for both the characters and members of the audience. The play is also about the relationship between a mother and daughter, and the conflict that arises, especially when they realize how much they are alike.

"What's really interesting is that this play could have been written today," says Valentine. "We chose to do it because it is very challenging and because it exposes the students to an important work by Shaw, but it also has a very compelling storyline with messages about social issues, censorship, and hypocrisy that still resonate in contemporary society."

In addition to the two main characters, there are a handful of others, including Frank (played by Patrick Midgley), who wants to marry Vivie for her money. Also among the cast members are Praed (Robert Wilson), Crofts (Nat Jeffirs), Rev. Gardner (Alex Gauvin), and the Wealthy Socialite (Eva Bernard).

Behind the scenes, Dales Seeds, professor of theatre, oversees set and light design, and Charlene Gross is in charge of costume design, while Merritt Smith serves as stage manager and Michael Stratton fills the role of assistant director.

Tickets are $9 for general admission and $6 for senior citizens, faculty, staff, and non-College of Wooster students. For more information, visit www.wooster.edu/theatre or call the box office at 330-263-2241.