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Festen comes to the Queen Mary this weekend
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California Repertory Company (Cal Rep) opened its 2009-2010 season Friday at The Queen Mary with David Eldridge’s Festen—and both parties developed a symbiotic relationship which is needed during the recession.
Eldridge based Festen on the film The Celebration--a Cannes Film Festival favorite. In it, Christian, who lost his twin sister to suicide, planned to revenge his father at his 60th birthday celebration in the presence of his entire family by unfolding hidden truths including how the father abused both siblings in the wealthy household. At The Queen Mary, CSULB’s Artistic Director Joanne Gordon will be directing the play. “It is important we see the play as both a domestic and political drama. The theme of confronting the past is as valid for a single family as it is for our entire country. We all struggle to accept truths because ignoring them can be comfortable,” Gordon said.
According to Marketing Manager at The Queen Mary, Erika Testo, someone introduced the Cal Rep to the Queen Mary because they needed a theater for their shows. The Queen Mary agreed to host the Cal Rep to boost their revenues especially during the recession when less people are traveling. As a solution, the ship focused its marketing to local businesses such as the Cal Rep. “We thought that the uniqueness and creativity of Cal Rep and their show calendar would prove a valuable partner for The Queen Mary,” Testo said. “We look forward to Cal Rep introducing new audiences to the ship, such as students.”
Theater Arts Graduate student Anna Steers, who plays Helene said the experience rehearsing at the Queen Mary “has been a grand, big and wonderful atmosphere, and a great place to work and be creative because of the grand space.” According to Steers, last year the Theater Arts graduate students rehearsed at The Amory which was converted from a gymnasium into a theater. “However, this time at The Queen Mary they have a real stage and the whole rehearsal process has been so much fun,” Steers said. “There are new elements for the Cal Rep: a new play, a new theater and a new Theater Arts alumni, so I think the audience will be excited to attend the show there.”
According to Steers, the material in the play is heavy because it consists of intense conflicts between family members and adult content. “I think people from all walks of life should see this play, as it speaks to a basic human experience,” Theater Arts Graduate student David Vegh said. Vegh plays Christian which is one of the key characters in Festen. “I feel fortunate to be surrounded by a cast and team that is focused and committed to the work of trying to bring this rather challenging play to life,” Vegh said. Gordon has taken a highly theatrical approach to this material, according to Vegh.
Cal Rep performances are in the Royal Theater aboard The Queen Mary. The production runs Tuesday through Saturday, September 25-October 17 (with the exception of Tuesday, September 29) at 8 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $16 for students, military, and seniors (55 and older). Parking at the Queen Mary (www.queenmary.com) is $8 for patrons of Cal Rep performances, $6 for CSULB students, and $6 for patrons who have dinner aboard the ship. Long Beach Public Transit also runs directly to the Queen Mary. For tickets and information please call (562) 985-5526 or visit www.calrep.org.
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