‘Shivaree’ cast members reevaluate characters, perform in University Theatre’s first show

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The cast of “Shivaree” is back after an extended break that gave actors a chance to reevaluate their performances

“We have been rehearsing since May,” said cast member Elise Essenmacher. “We’ve performed it three times already, so when we bring it back this fall it will be even better because we have had so much time to think and develop our characters.”

Illinois graduate student Alli Menninger agreed the revival of the show since summer performances will make it great. The cast had a month off before rehearsing for the upcoming performances.

“We’ve had extra time to think about our characters,” Menninger said. “Things we might have just noticed about a scene or a character at the end of the run in the summer, we can now do again and make it better.”

Shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, 8, 9 and 10 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 11.

Menninger said the show will be worth watching even for audience members who already saw it in the summer.

The University Theatre brochure described “Shivaree” as a romantic comedy telling the story of Chandler, a young and sheltered hemophiliac, and his first experience with love as he falls for a free-spirited belly dancer. The play was written by William Mastrosimone.

“The beauty of the theater is that every production is different,” Menninger said. “Some nights it could be the funniest thing in the world and some nights people will leave wiping tears from their eyes.”

Director Keeley Stanley-Bohn said she has noticed performance improvements when actors take the month off to reevaluate their characters.

“They are more comfortable trying new things,” she said.

Essenmacher, a Midland senior, said the production will blow other shows out of the water.

Although she has been acting since she was five, Essenmacher said her current role is one of her favorites.

Stanley-Bohn said this show may not be suitable for everyone. While the language isn’t too edgy, she said she would rate it PG-13.

Tickets are available for $7 to the general public and $5 for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.cmich.edu/x17277.xml or at Tickets Central in the CMU Events Center.

“It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and it really connects you to the characters,” Menninger said. “I think anyone who likes to feel good should watch this show.”