he WKU Department of Theatre and Dance will be performing “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)” starting tonight at Russell H. Miller Theatre in the fine arts center.
The play, which was written by Ann-Marie MacDonald, is a comedy that combines two of Shakespeare’s plays, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello.”
According to the play’s director, David Young, the story is a based on a woman, Constance Ledbelly, who is a professor at Queens University. She has a theory that Shakespeare based the plays “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello” on someone else’s work, and that they were originally written as comedies. Ledbelly is transported to the world of both “Othello” and “Romeo and Juliet” through her office trash can.
After stopping Othello from killing his wife, Desdemona, she keeps Romeo and Juliet from dying, too. Ledbelly finds that Romeo and Juliet are more in love with the idea of death and romance than with each other, and both characters end up falling in love with her. Young explains at the end of the play, Ledbelly is seen hovering over her trash can, and she isn’t sure if it all was real or in her imagination.
Young said there are five actors who perform 14 different characters in the play, and there are between 20 and 30 people working backstage for the production. He estimates they have put in a little more than 100 hours of work into it.
The director also said he decided to do this particular play because it could appeal to both students and professors. He said it is a funny show, but has a lot of levels and references to some heavy issues.
The play will be shown at 8 p.m. April 7 through April 12, except 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students.
The Theatre and Dance Department warns that the play contains adult situations and language and may not be suitable for children.
Reservations can be made by calling (270) 745-5845.
Reach Emily Salmon at features@wkuherald.com.
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