Entertainment: Opening Night of The Dining Room

By Nicoll Mischel // Staff Writer

The Dining Room. A spectacular performance brought to you by talented students from Sue Raley’s acting class in the Black Box Performing Theatre. Opening night on February 7, 2008 might have gone wrong but think twice- there were no mistakes.

“It was better than I thought it would be the hardest part was the rapid character change going from a dying father to and old grumpy man.” Chris Gurley said. It is a touching story of many colorful characters. Many of the themes make the audience appreciate the wooden thing that you sit around or sort the laundry on. It’s the idea that the dining room table and setting is useful in many ways to different people. How society and families over different generations evolved its presence.

Each different scene is an example of how that person or family treats the dinner table and the human interactions between family members. The set never faltered in bringing a distinct giggle or solemn tear from the extremely responsive audience. Collectively the way the actors used the dinner table was for leisure, bringing families together, disciplining children, talking about their days, gaining knowledge about the family history, gossiping, or asking grandpa for money.

The dinner table is supposed to signify togetherness or gathering, it was well established and apparent how touching each scene was. Just sitting at the table can bring up such things from the past whether it’s good or bad. Sparks that moment when mom asked you about your first boyfriend, or yelled at you because you got D in chemistry, or remembering your fifth birthday was at the dinner table- whatever it is, its an extremely important thing, this production redefines the need for families and community.

Every aspect that goes into making an extraordinary production was executed flawlessly. The lighting was spot on, and the set was beautiful. The actors engaged the audience, they did a wonderful job. One of the different aspects of this play was the intimate setting in the Black Box. Unknown to many of the students, it is a fully equipped stage with seating surrounding the stage.

“I’ve never performed in the black box theatre, it’s different than stage because there are people all around you and there is no focal point so you always have to be in character.” Sarah Frondoni said, emphasizing the tedious two-month long rehearsal calendar. Even the actors said it was hard with all the experience that they have and the dynamic presence of the audience. Remember to keep the tradition of the sacred dining room, going and go see the show!