Argonaut Online Arts

FRI 3 OCT 2003

STO takes fresh look at traditions

By Ashleigh Hebert
Argonaut Staff

The Student Theatre Organization presents “Medea” and “Some Things You Need To Know Before The World Ends: A Final Evening With The Illuminati” this weekend. The plays, directed by Luis Guerrero, show at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Shoup hall.

“Medea,” by Christopher Durang and Wendy Wasserstein, is a derivation from the Greek tragedy of the same name by Euripedes. The STO play ignores Medea’s witchcraft, which Euripedes portrayed as Medea’s downfall, and focuses more on the emotional state of modern Medea after Jason (leader of the Argonauts on the quest for the golden fleece) begins to have an affair with “Debbie.”

It is both hilarious and heart-wrenching as the play follows Medea, played by Mary Trotter, on the rollercoaster of murderous despair. The chorus of five women chants Medea’s conflicting emotions in perfect unison, heightening both the tragedy and humor. Medea’s sons are saved from infanticide by a Johnny Depp look-alike, the self-proclaimed “deus ex machina,” who promises that Jason has undergone a lobotomy and will thereafter be a “docile husband.”

“Illuminati,” by Larry Larson and Levi Lee, is intended to give a new perspective on old standards via blasphemy. Mentally unstable and egotistical Rev. Eddie, played by Curtis Ransom, screams in schizophrenic paranoia about congregational whispering and fear of nerve gas in the dark. Rev. Eddie is hypocritical and abusive to the hunchback Brother Lawrence, an endearing and vulnerable character played by Tuck Scott.

However, the play’s attempts at irreverence fail because they don’t address anything truly inherent to Christianity, the American government or anything else it tries to bash. The play sets up a row of stereotypical straw men and knocks them over mercilessly. Perhaps Christianity is no longer central enough to culture for it to be mocked accurately by someone who isn’t an active participant.

The writers make fun of a medieval fear of demons, which died during the Reformation and the Enlightenment, and they also mock self-flagellation and the prevalence of canonization.

The one stroke of mockery that hits home hilariously is when two Lutherans with deep Mississippi accents burst onto the stage singing, “Jesus was a Lutheran, and I’m a Lutheran, too.” However, even this jab doesn’t strike faith itself, but rather people who overemphasize a single aspect of faith.

Overall, the plays are tightly knit and well-acted, and well worth an evening outing.

Arts Editor: Katie Botkin Webmistress: Amanda J Hundt
UI Argonaut, 301 Student Union, Moscow, Idaho 83843 208.885.7845

Schedule for Eastside Cinemas

“Pirates Of The Carribean” PG13 — (noon and 3 p.m.) 6 and 9 p.m.

“Matchstick Men”PG13 — (1:50 and 4:20 p.m.) 6:50 and 9:20 p.m.

“Once Upon A Time In Mexico” R — (12:30 and 2:45 p.m.) 5, 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

“The Order” R — (2:30 p.m.) 9:40 p.m.

“Open Range” R — 6:15 and 9:10 p.m.

“S.W.A.T.” PG13 — (noon) 4:45 and 7:10 p.m.

“Finding Nemo” G — (1:35 and 3:55 p.m.)

Showtimes in ( ) are for Saturday and Sunday only.

Schedule for U4 Cinemas

“School of Rock” PG13 — noon, 3, 7 and 9:15 p.m.

“Duplex” PG13 — 1, 3:30, 7:15 and 9:30 p.m.

“Out of Time” PG13 — 12:30, 3:30, 7:20 and 9:40 p.m.

“Rundown” PG13 — 1:30, 4:30, 7 and 9:30 p.m.