Arts

Drama Lab Previews

Phillipian Arts sat in the rehearsals for tonight’s two Drama Labs, “Arabian Nights” and “Drive Angry.” Arabian Nights Norman- Andrew Mitchell ’11 Flora- Deena Butt ’12 Interpreter- Karl Hardin ’11 Norman, a typical tourist, wasn’t expecting anything when he walked into a Middle-Eastern Bazaar operated by Flora. While he was hoping to buy a souvenir of his travels, he finds something more that what he had been looking for the woman of his dreams. Before they know it, Flora and Norman find themselves together in a whirlwind of romance. “Arabian Nights” is a nurturing and budding romantic attraction mixed together with an uncanny comedy brought by the interpreter. Directed by Evan Eads ’12, the play features Andrew Mitchell ’11 as Norman, Deena Butt ’12 as Flora and Karl Hardin ’11 as the interpreter. Eads chose the play for its humor: “I always knew that I wanted to direct a funny and romantic drama lab. I read Arabian Nights, instantly, it was exactly what I was looking for!” she said. The show is nothing like the usual dark-themed DramaLabs. Rather, this weeks DramabLabs encourage the audience to burst into laughter. Eads said, “My only hope is that the audience has fun and enjoys the show…This play was written to entertain, and I hope that its humor translates.” As it is her first time directing, Eads feels a little anxious, “Any performance is scary and seeing as this is my first time directing, I’m terrified! However, I have an amazing cast whom I completely trust to put on a great show.” With Eads constantly giving them tips and advices, their hard work has paid off and the actors know their lines inside out. Eads commented, “We have been rehearsing since the start of spring term. The actors have exceeded my every expectation. They have truly worked so hard and I think that their work will really pay off on Friday! Drive Angry Chemo-Boy- Ric Best ’10 Rex the Mex- Daniel Schultz ’12 Chemo-Boy, portrayed by Ric Best ’10, is certainly not the luckiest man on Earth. While receiving chemotherapy because of cancer, his father, a “volatile maverick,” is actively withholding his money from him. His friend, Rex the Mex, played by Daniel Schultz ’12, converses with Chemo-Boy about deep discussions regarding the society they live in. Existential pollution drives these two young man to dire acts as they drive through the Los Angeles traffic. The play’s examination of diseased bodies and diseased societies is laced together with provocative but dark humor. Director Aleksander Huzar ’11 chose the play for its originality and the depth of the film. He said, “The theme is one of the necessity of struggle against negative forces. The tone of the play is relatively light hearted with the exception of a few more serious moments.” He added, “Most of the time, it’s just two friends talking about everyday stuff, making jokes and carrying on living their lives as usual. I wouldn’t call it dark at any point; it’s alternately angry and humorous.” Huzar and his cast have been rehearsing for the past three weeks, and their hard work allowed their characters to become enriched and animated. Huzar hopes that the audience will be able to relate to the characters in the play. “The characters might not be adolescents, but their concerns are similar to ours, and their maturity is roughly the same,” he said. Excited and enthused with the play itself, Huzar doesn’t feel nervous. He said, “Daniel and Ric have been doing great and I’m sure they will on Friday as well. I am excited for the show.”