'Ladies' all about having fun in Moliere's flamboyant play

By Patricia Jiayi Ho

Dust from the Fall One-Act Festival has barely begun to settle, but fans of theater can look forward to this quarter's main stage play, Moliere's "The Learned Ladies."

The Center of Performing Arts promises evenings of light-hearted laughter with the French playwright's farcical comedy. Shows run nightly starting this Friday to Nov. 22, with the exception of Mondays and Tuesdays.

Backstage at Mayer Theatre presents quite a surreal spectacle: men in white tights, heels and rich golden brocade coats stroll leisurely in fluorescent-lighted hallways, their bouffant hairdos matched only by the poufiness of their knee breeches. Equally ostentatious are the ladies, sporting crimson lips, literally breathtaking corsets and full dresses that each took five yards of fabric to make.

"This period was all about making a big dramatic fashion statement," says senior Jeff Moran as he tosses back a cascade of curly brown locks. "You're representing your entire self in dress. We've had costume shows that have been as difficult, but not as flashy."

Set in late 17th century France, the play parodies learning salons at the time. Moran's character, Chrysale, is the husband of a strong-willed woman named Philaminte. In addition to setting up her own learning salon for ladies, a no-no at the time, Philaminte tries to set her youngest daughter up with a charlatan, and various complexities ensue.

In stark contrast to last Winter's "Laramie Project," "The Learned Ladies" is all about raucous fun.

"The play is not something for the audience to go home and think deeply about," says theater professor, Mark Monday. "You won't find some deep social meaning. That's not what [Learned Ladies] was written for; it was written solely to entertain."

"The Learned Ladies" was chosen to give students a diverse range of plays to participate in. Shakespeare and musicals are staples-the theater department makes it a point to put one on every other year. However, according to Monday, it has been 20 years since a Moliere play was produced at Santa Clara.

The play presented a unique challenge to actors: It is written entirely in rhyming couplets. While this can make for beautiful language, speech can lose its natural inflections when punctuated periodically with a rhyme.

"It shouldn't sound like you're reciting 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'," says senior Rachel Zampelli, who plays Philaminte. "You have to sound like you're not rhyming."

For his main stage directorial debut, Monday chose to set the play in a garden rather than a drawing room, where the play traditionally takes place.

"I chose a garden setting because the play for me is all about passion," Monday says. "I felt we could create a more passionate world where characters are more free to talk about certain things."

Another key set element is a large clock that looms in the background. A number of times during the play, the clock runs amok to symbolize what Monday sees as a principle theme: poor timing. "These girls are trying to set up a school when France is not ready for it," he says.

Rehearsals started in early October and, for participants like assistant stage manager Claire Larsen, often involved consecutive long nights of practice. "It's a labor of love," she says.

"Learned Ladies" opens this Friday in Mayer Theatre. Tickets Friday and Saturday are $14 general, $12 senior citizens, Santa Clara faculty and staff, $5 students. Sunday through Thursday tickets are $12 general, $10 senior citizens, Santa Clara faculty and staff, $5 students.

Contact Patricia Jiayi Ho at (408) 554-4852 or pjho@scu.edu.Senior Rachel Zampelli carefully brushes on her mascara before her cue.PATRICIA JIAYI HOdatebookThursday 11/13

Science into Art: Transforming Archaeological Perspective into Personal Expression

Navajo archaeologist and jewelry artist Nathan Lefthand will speak on his experiences as an archaeologist in the Southwest United States and how it has affected his jewelry art. Mr. Lefthand is a professional archaeologist, born on the Navajo Reservation and now living on the Central Coast of California. Takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Daly Science 206. For more information, contact Linda Hylkema at (408)554-4513 or lhylkema@scu.edu.

Friday 11/14

Fall Orchestra Concert

Conducted by Emily Ray, the Santa Clara Orchestra performs a colorful blend of musical repertory featuring the talents of the Santa Clara 2003 Concerto-Aria Competition winners. Takes place at 8 p.m. at the Mission Church. Tickets are $10 general, $8 senior citizens, Santa Clara faculty and staff, $5 students. For more information, contact the CPA Box Office at (408)554-4015 or lrademacher@scu.edu.

"The Learned Ladies"

Written in 1672, "The Learned Ladies" remains one of Moliere's most beloved comedies. Chrysale's household is turned upside down when his wife is charmed by a charlatan poet who she thinks is an excellent match for her daughter, Henriette. Translated from French into rhyming couplets by Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Richard Wilber, this new translation of Les Femmes Savantes is a witty version that examines intellectual pretensions and romantic pursuits. Directed by Mark Monday. Takes place at 8 p.m. at Mayer Theatre. Tickets from Sunday through Thursday are $12 general, $10 senior citizens, Santa Clara faculty and staff, $5 students. On Friday and Saturday, tickets are $14 general, $12 senior citizens and Santa Clara faculty and staff, $5 students. For more information, contact the CPA Box Office at (408) 554-4015 or lrademacher@scu.edu. Runs until Nov. 22.

Arabian Nights Dance Party

Come dance the night away at the Arab Cultural Society's annual dance party. DJ Rami will play the latest in Arabic and American house music. Takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in The Bronco. For more information, contact Suzanne Aboujudom at (408) 386-5440 or saboujudom@scu.edu.

Arthur Miller's "The Crucible"

Come see Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at San Jose State University's University Theatre. Tickets are $10 for students, SJSU staff and faculty, and seniors; general admission, $15. Tickets available at the Event Center, online and at the door. Park free after 6 p.m. across the street at the new 4th St. City Garage. The show runs on November 14, 15, 20. 21, 22 at 7 p.m. with a matinee at 11 a.m. on November 19. For more information visit www.tvradiofilmtheatre.com.

Saturday 11/15

North Mississippi Allstars

This fun rock/blues/jam group will be performing at the Fillmore with openers Indigenous and Cory Branan. The show will start at 9 p.m. and tickets are $40 for general admission. Go to www.thefillmore.com for more information about this concert.

Mary Chapin Carpenter

This will be an acoustic evening at the Warfield with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, and Dar Williams â€" a perfect chance to unwind and hear some great music! The event will start at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $45 for main floor seating and $35 for balcony reserved seating. Head to www.cc.com for tickets and more information.

Sunday 11/16

With the holidays and finals coming up, get ahead of the game by studying for your finals. So bust out your highlighters, flashcards and No-Doz, it's all-nighter season baby.

Monday 11/17

Career Management Workshop

Kathy Potter, Assistant Director in the Career Center, invites recent graduates and alumni at the beginning of their careers to attend a free Career Management Workshop that will focus on the most effective ways to jump-start a career. The same workshop is offered on three Monday evenings, September 15, October 20, and November 17, from 6:00 to 8:00, in Donohoe Alumni House's Conference Room. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided. To reserve a space call (408) 554-4421 or email Beth Thies in the Career Center at ethies@scu.edu.

Tuesday 11/18

Puddle of Mudd

Hard rockers Puddle of Mudd will be performing at the elegant Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $19 for general admission and are available through Ticketmaster. Visit www.cc.com for tickets and more information.

Film Odyssey Series

25th Hour depicts the last day of freedom for a young man before he begins serving a seven year jail term for drug dealing. Prowling through the city until dawn with his two close male friends and his girlfriend, he is forced to re-examine his life, and how he got himself into his predicament. Takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 :30 p.m. in the Sobrato Learning Community. For more information, contact Mark Ravizza at (408)551-7178 or mravizza@scu.edu.

Fall Jazz Ensemble

Concert

Conducted by John Russell, the Santa Clara Jazz Ensemble performs an exhilarating array of classic and contemporary jazz favorites. Takes place at 8 p.m. in the Music and Dance Building's Recital Hall. Tickets are $10 general, $8 senior citizens, Santa Clara faculty and staff, $5 students. For more information, contact the CPA Box Office at (408)554-4015 or lrademacher@scu.edu.

Wednesday 11/19

Music at Noon: Chamber Singers Concert

Join this select group of Santa Clara vocalists as they perform a sophisticated program of choral music. Conducted by Thomas Colohan. Takes place in the Music and Dance Building's Recital Hall at noon. For more information, contact the CPA Box Office at (408) 554-4015 or lrademacher@scu.edu.

Upcoming

Choreographers' Gallery

On Dec. 4, Santa Clara student choreographers will present an exciting blend of dance styles showcasing innovative composition and movement. Takes place at 8 p.m. in Mayer Theatre. Cost is $5. For more information, contact the CPA Box Office at (408)554-4015 or lrademacher@scu.edu.

Michelle Branch

The pop princess will be at the Warfield on Friday, Nov. 21. Doors open at 7 p.m., show will be at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.25 for the open dance floor and for balcony reserved seating. Go to www.cc.com for more information.

Good Charlotte

These pop-punkers will be performing three consecutive shows in Northern Californie along with openers Goldfinger and Eve 6. The first evening â€" Thursday, Nov. 20 â€" will be at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium at 7 p.m. The second, on Friday, Nov. 21, will be at the Event Center at San Jose at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 22, the bands will be at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. That concert will also start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for all three shows are $27.50. Go to www.cc.com for more information.

Ongoing

Theatrical Realism: The Art of Inez Storer

This landmark exhibition will be the first retrospective featuring the work of nationally recognized painter and printmaker Inez Storer. As a complement to the de Saisset exhibition, the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art will be presenting an exhibition focused on Inez Storer's legacy: featuring the work of contemporary artists Storer has influenced through her many years as a teacher and mentor. This exhibition, entitled "An Artist's Artist: The Legacy of Inez Storer" will be on view from November 8, 2003 to January 3, 2004. In addition, concurrent with the retrospective, the Gallery at Villa Montalvo will be featuring an exhibition of Storer's most recent work. Entitled "Inez Storer: Encore Narratives," this exhibition will be on view from November 9, 2003 to January 17, 2004.

For more information, contact Ramona Nadel at (408) 554-4528 or rnadel@scu.edu.