Drama Department Performs "Big Love"

May 11 - 14

What happens when 50 sisters (yes 50!) are promised in marriage to their 50 cousins in modern day Greece? Why, they commandeer a ship and flee to an Italian villa to try to escape the forced nuptials! Join Butte College students, faculty, and volunteers as they bring the exhilarating and undoubtedly relevant play “BIG LOVE” to the Butte College Black Box Theatre in the ARTS building on the main campus
 
“BIG LOVE” opens Thursday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m., with performances continuing Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. and closing Sunday, May 14 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors/students. Tickets are available at the door or via: http://www.ButteDrama.com. For more information, call 530-895-2994 or email Jesse Merz, director, at merzje@ngskmc-eis.net. Performances take place at the Butte College Black Box Theatre, Main Campus, ARTS Building, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA 95965. “BIG LOVE” IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES DUE TO ADULT LANGUAGE, CARTOON VIOLENCE, AND ADULT THEMES.
 
Background:

From the author: “Fifty brides flee their fifty grooms and seek refuge in a villa on the coast of Italy in this modern re-making of one of the western world's oldest plays, “The Danaids” by Aeschylus. And, in this villa on the Italian coast, the fifty grooms catch up with the brides, and mayhem ensues: the grooms arriving by helicopter, women throwing themselves over and over again to the ground, pop songs and 100 wine glasses, and, finally, unable to escape their forced marriages, the brides make a radical decision to set their fiances straight.” (last sentenced modified to avoid plot spoilers)
 
“BIG LOVE” is written by Charles L. Mee and is freely adapted by the cast and crew. Butte College’s production features a set designed by Robert Pickering, lighting designed by Michael Johnson, costumes by Lynne Schuepbach, stage manager is Bronwyn Allen, and is directed by Butte’s new Theatre Arts Instructor, Jesse Merz.
 
The cast includes:
 
The Sisters
Lydia – Terra Jones
Thyona – Chriscielle Birr
Olympia – Tatum Hazelton
*Neysa – Liz Casillas
 
The Brothers
Nikos – Marcus Rutledge
Constantine – David Loperena
Oed – Joseph Pesqueira
 
The Hosts
Giuliano – Daniel Rubio
Piero – Bryce Corron
Bella – Alison Zuris
 
The Guests
Eleanor – Maria Romero
Leo – Berend Williges
 
From the New York Times Review in 2001: “And it is a show that is really a show. It isn't only a play. ''Big Love'' is the simple, direct, important, easy-to-remember title of a fanciful theater piece you will never forget.”
 
Director Merz says, “‘BIG LOVE’ is a hilarious, silly, and very thoughtful piece of theatre that breaks theatrical conventions and makes us look at how society puts unique pressures on women. It’s an entertaining show full of moving speeches, wacky characters, and a thread of truth that will resonate with audiences. It’s a show that’s dedicated to freedom, feminism and human rights, while still being fun and silly. You will love this show!”
 
Photo Credit: Davin Schreindl. Clockwise from upper left: Terra Jones as Lydia, Chriscielle Birr as Thyona, Tatum Hazelton as Olympia, Joseph Pesqueira as Oed, David Loperena as Constantine, and Marcus Rutledge as Nikos.