A Thrilling Theatrical Performance

This blog post discusses the play Candide that I attended at the Tornabene Theatre at the University of Arizona. The director of the original play of Candide is Francois-Marie Arouet Voltaire. In this thrilling play, Voltaire responds toward eighteenth century trends and historical events.

The Tornabene Theatre’s theatre space engaged me automatically of all of its characteristics. The stage layout itself represented a thrust stage. A characteristic such as visual design in the production is what I first perceived before Act I started. The staging for this production was highly-environmental, which means that the action of the play takes place in and around the theatre space. Therefore, seating in this production can depict different receptions, observations, interpretations, and different perspectives. For example, an audience member on the far left corner in the back of the seating area, opposed to an audience member in the very front right corner of the seating area, could easily gain a totally different outlook on the production. The stairway that consisted of ten stairs each, connected together at the top forming a second-level platform. The elevated platforms were the highest part of the architecture design, which then degrade five stairs on each side, combining into a middle platform. At the bottom floor of the staircases, an artistic pentagon shape combined with a rectangular degrading platform formed the base floor of the stage. The circular designed floor contained artistic swirls and designs. The declining ramp included a large print of the cover of the book Candide. The next compelling visual was a motorized lift that got the actors up to the balcony which worked like a ski-lift. Surrounding the theatre space are a few raised platforms with ladders connecting to the top. Guard rails are placed on the elevated platform to secure the characters while acting. Important historical artistic symbols such a peace sign, cross, bird, weapon, moon, and star were painted directly on the bottom width of the platforms.

Lighting before the performance began was very dim and soft to the eyes. A delightful melody of piano music played in the background, while everyone eventually found their seats. On this particular Sunday I viewed the play, the audience I was apart of, and was surrounded by were primarily elderly people. These lovable and kind old people remind me of my special Grandma Di-who has taken me to see plays and musicals since I could remember. We would go see the Nutcracker ballet play every year around Christmas time and see other productions such as, Grease, Lion King and Cats. It is very nice seeing plays on occasions rather than just watching a television screen 24/7. The excitement of seeing real people perform on a theatre creates such an energizing environment opposed to a movie theatre. However, when I see plays I have to be in the mood to see one; otherwise I will be very annoyed with the dramatic “jolliness” of the skits. Nevertheless, I definitely suggest everyone to check out a live play whether it be on Broadway in New York or at the University of Arizona in Tucson.