Sansami will present “Figaro” the next two weekends at the Urbana University Hub.
“Figaro” is comedy of errors about a guy who is a day away from his wedding having to deal with his best friend, The Count, who is scheming to have Suzanne for his own despite already having a Countess of his own, through wit and cunning.
Finally being able to present “Figaro” is a victory in itself for Sansami. Shafer had been looking at it for several years and was still struggling with how to present his vision.
Fortunately, he took a break to watch “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and the answer was clear – Figaro was Ferris. He took the struggles of characters in films like “The Breakfast Club” and “St. Elmo’s Fire” and worked that into this version.
“There’s a universal theme in every one of those movies,” said Shafer. “Hughes did things to get his point across. They really resonate with people in the 16-25 age range and you can connect with their struggles to fit in.”
Another added touch to this production follows a recent theater trend in that the production will be presented in thrust. Sound design is important in modern theater according to Shafer and this makes the experience more immersive for the audience.
A platform stage will be used with the audience on the three sides and speakers in different areas to engulf them, where they’ll hear a lot of familiar and more cult songs of the time.
As an example, in the original play, “Figaro” hums the French national anthem and here it will be substituted with an ’80s song as an added nod to the era.
The nine-member cast includes some veterans of previous Sansami productions including “The Great Gatsby” and its recent “Spotlight, Tonight!” shows.
But it will be newcomer Canaan Gray making his debut as “Figaro.” Shafer said others will bring a veteran instinct and he couldn’t ask for a better cast.
“We’ve taken something we perceived wouldn’t be for everyone and are making the audience a part of it, making it personal, it’s a story about everyone for everyone. It has a lot of heart and when everything today is about debate and politics this can bring everyone together.”
Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: “Figaro”
Where: Urbana University Hub, 579 College Way, Urbana
When: 8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday (July 21-22) and next Friday and Saturday (July 28-29)
Admission: $10, $5 ages 12 and younger
More info: www.facebook.com/SansamiCreativeWorks
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