Denison Theatre presents ‘Life is a Dream’

Denison University Theatre presents "Life Is a Dream" written by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca and translated by Nilo Cruz.

Notice: this information is for a past event.
Ticket Info:
Free to Denison students, faculty and staff. General admission $8, Senior Citizen $5, Non-Denison students $4. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at 740-587-6544.
Sponsor(s):
Theatre
Photo for promotion of “Life Is a Dream” written in 1633 by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca

“Life is a Dream” 

  • Written by Pedro Calderón de la Barca 
  • Translated by Nilo Cruz 
  • Adapted by the Ensemble 
  • Asst. Prof. Jim Dennen, Director 
  • Assoc. Prof. Cynthia Turnbull, Costume and Makeup Designer 
  • Assoc. Prof. Peter Pauzé, Scenic & Lighting Designer 
  • Andrew Johns, Sound Designer 
  • Mathew Scott ’19, Production Stage Manager 
  • Giselle Hernandez ’19, Assistant Director 
  • Meg Odell ’19, Musical Director & Assistant Director

Denison University Theatre presents “Life Is a Dream” written in 1633 by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca, translated and adapted by Nilo Cruz and directed by James Dennen, assistant professor of theatre.

The playwright asks what happens when a person, unjustly imprisoned his entire life, is set free and granted absolute power to reign over his captors.

The play takes place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 to 11, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12 and at 8 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 14 to 16.

The Duke Astolfo and his cousin, Princess Estrella, address the King Basilio of Poland about succeeding the throne.
King Basilio of Poland addresses the audience, revealing that he has imprisoned his infant son, Sigismundo, due to a prophecy.
King Basilio visits his son’s prison cell, sitting by Sigismundo’s warden and tutor, Clotaldo. Basilio consults an open scroll while Clotaldo holds a copy of the script, Sigismundo lying under a red blanket in the background.
Clarín, Rosaura’s servant, smirks, looking off into the distance.
Rosaura and the Duke Astolfo crouch and clutch their chests on opposite sides of the stage, overwhelmed at meeting again. A servant watches as the actor playing Clotaldo plays the viola.
The Princess Estrella stands solemnly, holding a fan up to her chest.
Rosaura pins the Duke Astolfo to the ground, trying to wrestle his locket out of his hand.
Rosaura and Sigismundo face opposite sides, walking parallel to each other, as the actor playing Clotaldo plays viola in the background.
The forces of Sigismundo and Basilio face off, with a soldier standing over another, about to strike. Clarín lies dead behind them.
Now reconciled and engaged, the Duke Astolfo holds the hand of Rosaura.

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