Actresses find themselves in Little Women
Gabi Wy, Features Editor
April 19, 2017
Filed under Features
Through the struggle of her own boyfriend being deployed, Morgan Book channels her emotion in “Little Women” as the romantic Meg, engaged to a man who goes off to war. “When we did the duet between Meg and Mr. Brook that first night of rehearsals, I cried through the whole thing,” the sophomo...
University play tells ‘important story’
Gabi Wy, Features Editor
February 24, 2017
Filed under Reviews
Through a coming-of-age narrative and passionate performances, “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” felt genuine. The story of “Crumbs” follows teenager Ernestine Crump (Jesmelia Williams) and her family as they navigate Brooklyn as an African-American family in the 1950s. As Ernestine grows, Will...
Coming of age story to illustrate resilience
Gabi Wy, Features Editor
February 15, 2017
Filed under Features
As the production nears, The Shield spoke with guest director Ron Himes about working on USI Theatre’s “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” and the meaning of the play in today’s America. Himes is the founder and producing director of The Black Rep, a theatre company in St. Louis, as well as a mem...
‘Mr. Burns’ lacking crucial spark
Gavin Gaddis, Staff writer
November 19, 2016
Filed under Reviews
Mr. Burns: a post-electric play is, in a word, problematic. Set mere weeks after a virus wipes away most of humanity, “Mr. Burns” opens with several survivors sitting around a campfire reminiscing about an episode of “The Simpsons,” distracting themselves from fears of nuclear fallout....
‘Putnam’: playful, perfect pick-me-up
Bobby Shipman, Editor-in-Chief
April 20, 2016
Filed under Features
Regardless of my politics, I typically hang my head in disappointment when a play or musical digresses from its plot to unabashedly insert the director’s personal agenda. But when said play or musical megaphones its message through the conduit of a lispy 9-year-old with two gay dads and a seething hatred for Donald Trump, I can’t help but crack a grin.
Read more »Musical to highlight ‘the oddity of childhood,’ involve audience
Abigail Suddarth, Staff Writer
April 7, 2016
Filed under Features
Alec Willis will play Jesus for the second time in his life in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” His first time playing Jesus was in his high school’s production of “Godspell.”
Read more »‘Peanuts’ perfection
Abigail, Suddarth
March 23, 2016
Filed under Reviews
After laughing until their sides hurt, audiences left “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” grief-stricken and in tears.
Read more »University to perform banned play
Abigail Suddarth, Staff writer
November 11, 2015
Filed under Features
King Louis XIV of France banned “Tartuffe” after its first performance. The theatre department will perform the comedy written by Moliere at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19- 21 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Performance Center. “It was banned because Louis XIV believed that there was a risk that people would co...
Students sow emotional depth with ‘Grapes of Wrath’
Bobby Shipman
October 17, 2015
Filed under Reviews
Despite a few first-night fumbles, the cast of USI Theatre’s latest production managed to ensnare its audience with passionate acting and relatable intensity. “The Grapes of Wrath,” adapted for stage by Frank Galati, kicked off the 2015-2016 season Thursday with a nearly packed house. ...
USI Theatre to present ‘Grapes of Wrath’
Abigail Suddarth
October 8, 2015
Filed under Features
He starred as Albert Peterson in “Bye, Bye, Birdie,” showed off his villainous side as Dr. Orin Scrivello in “The Little Shop of Horrors” and now Connor Keef said he will debut his first serious role as Tom Joad in Frank Galati’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” The production opens Oct. 15 and runs...
Theatre Review: ‘Shoot sperm not bullets’
Bobby Shipman
November 19, 2014
Filed under Features
As I sat in the front row at Tuesday night’s advanced preview of “Lysistrata,” I was taken aback when the character Kinesias placed his penis on my leg mid show. I truly got the full extent of the experience. The scandalous play portrays female empowerment as the women of Greece switched from fle...
USI Theatre presents: In the Next Room or the Vibrator play
Bobby Shipman
November 20, 2013
Filed under Reviews
The audience roars with laughter as a tall, thin man cries out in ecstasy. He lays fetal on a black exam table clutching the cushion in unbearable pleasure. A small, dim light bulb dangles accordingly above him flickering wildly. The doctor, short and aged, stands behind the man administering...