Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights

So this week has been a bit of a shitshow for me, but I’ve been trying to stay grounded by keeping everything in perspective. In the end, I managed to get by without losing too much sleep or, for that matter, entering into a deal with the devil to exchange my soul for unlimited power and knowledge.

And now you’re telling me I get to pregame Cloud Nothings/Future Islands with some trippy-ass Gertrude Stein? Sold (still not my soul, though).

At 8pm this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the Theater Department will be presenting this semester’s faculty show, Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights. Tickets available online or at the Usdan Box Office (please tell me you didn’t click the second link).

Read on for a description from my homegirl Emmie Finckel ’14:

In Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights, Gertrude Stein redirects the legend of the scholar who sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for infinite knowledge into a Faust who seeks a different power – electric light.

The Theater Department’s production underscores the play’s rupture with modern dramatic conventions such as character psychology and linear narrative by featuring a chorus of twelve actors and borrowing from dance-theater. Rooted in the musicality of Ms. Stein’s joyful play with words, this distinctly contemporary interpretation of the Faust legend presents beautiful virtual visual elements and puppetry, an original sound score, and choreography.

More information after the jump.

The Wesleyan University Theater Department Presents:
DR. FAUSTUS LIGHTS THE LIGHTS
by Gertrude Stein

Directed by Claudia Nascimento

Set Design and Projections by Marcela Oteiza
Costume Design and Puppets by Leslie Weinberg
Lighting design by Jiyoun Chang
Sound Design by Demetrio Castellucci

In Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights, Gertrude Stein redirects the legend of the scholar who sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for infinite knowledge into a Faust who seeks a different power – electric light.
The Theater Department’s production underscores the play’s rupture with modern dramatic conventions such as character psychology and linear narrative by featuring a chorus of twelve actors and borrowing from dance-theater. Rooted in the musicality of Ms. Stein’s joyful play with words, this distinctly contemporary interpretation of the Faust legend presents beautiful virtual visual elements and puppetry, an original sound score, and choreography.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaHZ1ibA2tY

Performances are 8pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Tickets available at the Wesleyan Box Office in Usdan, or online at http://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa

Cast:
Lily Haje
Zach Libresco
Kate Malczewski
Joey Mehling
Dominique Moore
Phil Ross
Anna Sproule
Elijah Stevens
Mica Taliaferro
Eli Timm
Justin Wayne
Florian Weinzierl

Crew:
Stage Managers: Olivia Alperstein and Emmie Finckel
Light Board Operator: Mandy Goldstone-Dahlin
Board Programmer: Evan DelGaudio
Sound Technician: Bennett Kirschner
Fly Rail Operators/Run Crew: Jahanara Alamgir, Grant Hand, Austin Rusack, Natalie Sacks, Tawni Stoop

Assistant Director: Lily Haje
Dramaturg: Adrienne Leach
Projections Assistant: Ally Bounds
Costume/Puppet Assistants: Emily Hunt, Emma MacLean, Rachel Unger