By: Darien Campo Staff Writer
Western Theatre students take the stage for the first time, wandering around the boards to familiarize themselves with their new set in preparation for their upcoming production.
Still under construction, the unpainted steps are watched over by a shuttered backdrop depicting a wide-open Missouri countryside.
With only ten days left to rehearse, these actors are buckling down to prepare for the opening night of Western Oregon Theatre’s fall show “Book of Days.”
David Janoviak is directing the show, written by Lanford Wilson, which takes place in Dublin, Missouri (pronounced “Mis-sur-ah” by the characters.)
“It is about a small town, that is centered around a cheese-plant,” said Janelle Davis, a fourth year Theatre major in the BFA Acting program. “And when the owner passes away, there is suspicion on what happened, and how it happened. […] It’s definitely a murder mystery.”
The show features a wide cast of unique characters, all with different, complicated relationships with one another. “It’s one of those small towns where everyone knows each other,” said Belladina Starr, senior BFA Theatre major, “and everybody goes to church, and there’s lots of hearsay.”
Growing up in a small town myself, it was interesting to recognize the types of people I’ve known in real life make an appearance onstage before me.
Starr continued, “There’s this idea that everyone in the town knows what’s going on and they all […] put up a front of being good people, but then […] you see the darker sides of these people.”
“It’s definitely a drama,” Davis said, “There [are] some comedic moments, but it’s definitely a drama.”
The actors have been working on this show since the first week of school, with auditions taking place the very first day of fall term.
They’ve been working hard, and even though this was their first night on the set, their effort shines through. “People have been getting lots of stuff done,” Starr said. “The first run [we all] had lines fully down […] people have developed their characters very early on […] this cast has really come together.”
Though the show is not a musical, it does feature plenty of singing from the cast, with many different church hymns sung throughout the show.
“Book of Days” premieres Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 and will run through Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015.
Admission prices are $7 for students with ID, $10 for seniors, and $12 general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Rice Auditorium box office, or by calling the box office phone number at 503-838-8462.
