This is a big weekend for theatre on Nicholls campus. In addition to the Vagina Monologues this weekend, the Nicholls Players and alumni will be putting on a series of one act plays.
Nicholls Players alumni Joey Pierce and Eric Pellegrin are directing the three plays to be performed, all written by Christopher Durang.
“Naomi in the Living Room” is a tale about a family full of big personalities and stars Nancy Chauvin, a first time actor, along with Nicholls Players regulars Shay Calongne and Mercedes Hebert. “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls” is a parody of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie.” This act stars veteran community actress Kami Ellender with Julia Chauvin, Kyle Woods and Nicholls alumna Laura Templet Pierce. The third act is ” ‘dentity Crisis,” featuring Lisa Cunningham and Julianna Wagner, who were both last seen in Big Love, along with Willie Hughes and Kelsie Guidry.
Cunningham is also the Nicholls Players managing director. As managing director, Cunningham is involved in every production put on in one way or another.
“I’m in all the productions that the Nicholls Players put on, whether it’s backstage or acting, selling tickets or advertising.”
Cunningham’s character in ” ‘dentity Crisis” is Jane.
“My family is crazy, and Jane is the only sane one,” Cunningham explained. “They don’t really understand her because she’s the only normal one, and she tries to commit suicide. As terrible as that sounds, it’s a comedy. Some of the stuff is so crazy, it’s humorous.”
Daniel Ruiz, Nicholls Players director, describes the show as “not for network TV sitcom humor, ridiculously funny and strange moments peppered with some very adult language and sexual situations.”
Ruiz also describes the acts as a “showcase of talent.” It is one of the few times the director gives all control to the players and alumni.
“They really have done a great job, and I found myself laughing pretty hysterically when I saw the run-through last week,” Ruiz said. “My hands haven’t been in it, but they have my seal of approval.”
In addition to the series of acts, there will be improvisations where the various characters meet each other.
The show will be held in Powell Auditorium on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 7 p.m. slot is an experiment to see if students who go home for the weekend can be lured back a little early to catch the show. Tickets are $5 at the door, and students are encouraged to come and see some “good, dirty theatre,” as Ruiz said, and support the Nicholls Players.
