Campus Times
April 23, 1999
Andy Chambers, Rob Philpott, Ashley Hannah and Dana Badet introduce the play "An Italian Straw Hat" written by Eugène Labche. It is a French farce in which a women has her hat eaten by a horse. The owner of the horse must find another hat before he can wed ... and who must avoid his father-in-law who threatens to call the whole thing off. The play opened last night and runs tonight, tomorrow and April 29-May 1.
Fadinard (Tom Moose) is caught in the middle of his drunk father-in-law, Nonancourt (Scott Fowler), and the Baroness de Champigney (Nicole Andlaw). The play is set around Fadinard. Upon his wedding night, he is faced with the challenge of chasing a hat before he is able to marry. Moose (second year at ULV) expressed that endurance was the hardest part of his character. "He [Fadinard] just doesn't get a lot of breaks in the five acts."
Jessica Wotherspoon throws on a derby and strikes a pose in the Fosse tradition before going on stage. As a former dance student, Wotherspoon has the ability to incorporate body movement into her character. She plays Anais, the woman who gets her hat eaten.
Costume Designer Maro Parian helps Moose with his vest. Parian works with Universal Studios Hollywood and has been involved with costumes for about 18 years. She believes that "costumes are essential to any production. It's an amazing tool that helps the actors feel their characters." This is the first production in which Parian brings her experience to ULV. Parian has worked with other colleges and universities in Southern California.
Director Georgij Paro at his best. A director is one of the most important figures in any production because his ability to combine the different talents into one single play is truly magnificent. Like a composer choosing the proper sounds for a melody.
Obren Milanovic gets ready to go on stage playing Achille, the cousin to the Baroness de Champigney. Milanovic is a freshmen theater major with already two plays under his belt, "As You Like It" and the one act "Max." What he has enjoyed the most about this play was the opportunity to work with Director Georgij Paro. When describing Paro Milanovic simply said, "Georgij is a genius. Precise. Demanding."
Fadinard (Tom Moose) angers the Foreign Legion officer from the African Cord, Emile (LaVelle Wilson).
Lisa Renée and Jennifer Holindrake "prepare" their faces for the show. Renée will be graduated this May with a bachelor's degree in theater, making this her last show at ULV.
