"Extravaganza" is how Lecturer in Theater and Theater Department Chair Sonja Moser describes her production of playwright Thorton Wilder's "Skin of Our Teeth." She isn't just boasting.
Extravaganza is actually a technical term for a type of American theater in the 19th century and early 20th century that used musical numbers and dancing girls to create an intensely visual performance.
"Extravaganza" is an apt term for this production, which includes the obligatory dancing girls and musical numbers, plus a cast of more than 19 actors and a two-story set. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of the Androbus family's struggle to survive through an ice age, a flood, temptations of seductive women, and much more.
An anachronistic juxtaposition of Homeric poetry, Adam and Eve, and dinosaurs and mammoths, the play shows how humans throughout history have shared the same concerns about children, relationships, and the future. Moser feels that this depiction of how humanity "has endured throughout the ages" is especially pertinent commentary on the current state of freedom and responsibility in America.
Jared Hunt '08, as the patriarchal Mr. A, gives an intense performance of the brilliant but also erratic head of the family. His performance is balanced by the equally talented performance of Christine Carletta '10 as Mrs. A, his long-suffering wife. Sammie Francis '09 stands out as Sabina, a temptous siren who infuses the performance with humor, wit, and sexual tension. The Fortune Teller, played by Anthony DiNicola '07 in drag, adds a humorous element to the play.
The process of playing a woman was an intense one for DiNicola, who was also in drag for Bowdoin's 2005 production of Angels in America.
"I would look at myself in the mirror and not recognize myself," DiNicola said. "I looked and felt like a woman."
Also impressive is the sheer amount of effort and community involvement that went into the production. The cast, which includes a large number of first years and sophomores, represents the tremendous talent and dedication of the Bowdoin student body. Moser enjoyed being able to work with students that she recommended on the basis of their performances in admissions tapes to the College.
Moser reached out to the Bowdoin community to assist with other aspects of the production. This school-wide involvement includes the making of several puppets, surprise cameos by notable members of the Bowdoin community, two choreographers, and Greek translations by Associate Professor of Classics Jennifer Kosak.
Moser admits that putting on such a large production was difficult at times. With setbacks such as the recent power outage, Moser said that she sometimes felt like the cast and crew were "putting on a show by the skin of our teeth."
But overall, she was impressed by both the dedication of the students involved and was grateful to be able to include "so many people" in the production of the play.
As DiNicola states, "Everything about this production seems epic?epic to Bowdoin."
"Skin of our Teeth" will show on November 2 to 4 at 8 p.m. in Pickard Theater.