Denison University Theatre will present the comedy “Spite for Spite,” Dakin Matthews’ English translation of the 17th century Spanish play “El desden con el desden” by Agustin Moreto. Directed by Denison Assistant Professor of Theatre Cheryl McFarren, it will open at 8 p.m., Friday, April 16, 2010, in Ace Morgan Theatre (211 West College Street), with additional performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, and Tuesday through Saturday, April 20-24.

“Spite for Spite” is the story of the smitten Carlos and the disdainful Diana, who has decided never to wed, frustrating her father and other suitors. Eventually she allows herself to be wooed in order to prove her resolve against love. Enter Moth, Carlos’s clever servant, who becomes Diana’s jester and concocts numerous plots to win her love for his master. Vital to these plots is that Carlos must match Diana’s indifference, which becomes increasingly difficult for him with each successive scheme.

For this stylized poetic comedy, McFarren has chosen an all-female cast who will be disguised in commedia-style half-masks, created by Mathew McFarren. Sumptuous period costumes have been designed by Cynthia Turnbull, associate professor and Theatre Department chair. The scenic design is by Tamara Honesty, visiting assistant professor.

Carlos is played by MacRorie Dean (Ithaca, N.Y.), Diana by Jennifer Messner (Aurora, Ohio), and Moth by Erica Hughes (Pittsburgh). Others in the cast are Allison Brogan (Lexington, Ohio), Elizabeth Gannon (Pittsburgh), Caitlin Jonassen (Chicago), Taylor Plas (Reynoldsburg, Ohio), Emily Schuman (New York), and Caroline Swaller (Oklahoma City). Performing the music by Gaspar Sanz, a 17th century Spanish guitarist, are Elyse Dolan (Canal Winchester, Ohio), Ammon Hollister (New Richmond, Ohio), and Christa Nannos (Villanova, Pa.). Owen Beamer (Newark, Ohio) serves as stage manager, assisted by Sarah Fiete (Dublin, Ohio) and Ariel Guinn (Columbia, S.C.).

Tickets are $8 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for non-Denison students. All performances are open to the public. Reservations may be made at the Theatre Box Office, 740-587-6527.

On the two days between the English performances of “Spite for Spite,” Ace Morgan Theatre will be the site of a modern musical adaptation in Spanish of “El desden con el desden,” written and directed by Francisco Garcia Vicente of Murcia, Spain. It will feature two Spanish actors as Carlos and Moth with Denison students of the Department of Modern Languages as the other characters. Performances are April 18 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and April 19 at 8 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Reservations for limited open seating may be made by calling 740-587-6643.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville—The 17th century Spanish comedy “Spite for Spite,” in English, at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17, and Tuesday through Saturday, April 20-24, in Ace Morgan Theatre, Theatre Arts Building (211 West College Street). $8 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for non-Denison students. Open to the public. To reserve tickets, contact 740-587-6527. For more information visit www.denison.edu.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — A modern musical adaptation of the 17th century Spanish comedy “El desden con el desden,” in Spanish, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, and at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 19, in Ace Morgan Theatre. Theatre Arts Building (211 West College Street). Free and open to the public. For more information visit www.denison.edu.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

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Director, Media Relations

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stambaughb@denison.edu

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(740) 587-8575