2008 Woodie Awards
Composer brought to life
Andy Bockelman
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Entertainment
Andy Bockelman
arts@uncmirror.com
With the opening of the play "Amadeus," the University of Northern Colorado theatre department saw the beginning of the end of its spring semester season, and most definitely went out on a high note.
The show opens in 1823 Vienna to the musings of aged, half-insane composer Antonio Salieri, played by senior acting major Lee Rayment, as he reminisces about his early life, when being a famous name in the musical community and praising the glory of God were all that mattered to him. This changes upon his meeting of a young upstart named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by senior acting major Kurt Larson, the quality of whose music puts Salieri's to shame. Outraged by the dual horrors of mediocrity and ordinariness, Salieri devotes himself to destroying his artistic better in any way can.
Rayment commented on the work he had to put in while getting into character.
"I researched a lot of the music of the period at first," Rayment said. "After that, I had to focus more on Salieri the person, but pretty soon it all clicked together. I was just glad that none of us had to learn to play the harpsichord, because it was hard enough playacting it."
Junior acting major Jason Clark plays one of the lackeys who assist Salieri in his misdeeds.
"I think that the process of performing this play has been surprisingly fluid," Salieri said. "We all spark great work off of one another."
Senior acting major Madeline Chilese, who portrays Mozart's frustrated wife Constanze, said she agreed with this sentiment.
"The cast for this show is huge, but very supportive," Chilese said. "It's the kind of thing we need to keep up the energy while we're onstage."
Chilese also spoke highly of director Mary Schuttler.
"Mary's a brilliant director because she's always letting us try new things and doesn't hold us back at all."
Audience members appeared to be very pleased with the play.
arts@uncmirror.com
With the opening of the play "Amadeus," the University of Northern Colorado theatre department saw the beginning of the end of its spring semester season, and most definitely went out on a high note.
The show opens in 1823 Vienna to the musings of aged, half-insane composer Antonio Salieri, played by senior acting major Lee Rayment, as he reminisces about his early life, when being a famous name in the musical community and praising the glory of God were all that mattered to him. This changes upon his meeting of a young upstart named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by senior acting major Kurt Larson, the quality of whose music puts Salieri's to shame. Outraged by the dual horrors of mediocrity and ordinariness, Salieri devotes himself to destroying his artistic better in any way can.
Rayment commented on the work he had to put in while getting into character.
"I researched a lot of the music of the period at first," Rayment said. "After that, I had to focus more on Salieri the person, but pretty soon it all clicked together. I was just glad that none of us had to learn to play the harpsichord, because it was hard enough playacting it."
Junior acting major Jason Clark plays one of the lackeys who assist Salieri in his misdeeds.
"I think that the process of performing this play has been surprisingly fluid," Salieri said. "We all spark great work off of one another."
Senior acting major Madeline Chilese, who portrays Mozart's frustrated wife Constanze, said she agreed with this sentiment.
"The cast for this show is huge, but very supportive," Chilese said. "It's the kind of thing we need to keep up the energy while we're onstage."
Chilese also spoke highly of director Mary Schuttler.
"Mary's a brilliant director because she's always letting us try new things and doesn't hold us back at all."
Audience members appeared to be very pleased with the play.
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