Elizabethtown College’s Tempest Theatre is nearing completion of its production of “Love and Information.” The play written by the award winning Caryl Churchill, has proven to be an exciting endeavor for the cast and crew. Churchill wrote the play so that it gives the actors and director full control over the show. The cast was given only lines, and no stage directions to work with. But, that is a good thing.
“The cast has taken on this unusual structure of 68 different scenes with no recurring characters, and really attacked it and found some very interesting stuff in it,” Director Michael Swanson said.
The show does not follow a singular plot. Instead it uses short scenes to show the small connections “that hold us all together.” Each scene features two to four actors and are only a few minutes long. The actors have built a larger picture within each short scene. This means it requires much more audience engagement than most theatrical productions. But the energy of the actors and how much they have put into each scene really shows.
“The show has been super fun, but really exhausting,” music and anthropology major Emmett Pegan said. “I’m excited to see how it all turns out.”
The production of “Love and Information.” will open in the Tempest Theatre located in the Brossman Commons on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 8 p.m. More showings will follow on Feb. 8, 9, 14, and 15 at 8 p.m. A matinee show will be held Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m and will be the last chance to catch the show. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the box office located outside the Tempest Theatre, by calling 717-361-1170, or email: boxoffice@etown.edu.
Michael Swanson is searching for students willing to usher during the show in exchange for free admission. If interested please email: swansonm@etown.edu.
Jonathan Standke is a junior English: professional writing major and creative writing minor. He is a section editor for the Fine Print literary magazine. He works as a writing tutor in the learning zone, and as a theater tech at the Tempest Theatre.