Theater Arts probes many issues

Gender, sexuality, power, defiance and death are just some of the themes in the new Theater Arts production of The Duchess of Malfi, which opens tonight. John Webster's 17th Century play explores the struggle of the woman to gain physical and psychological autonomy in a society dominated by tyrannical men. The play centers around a young widow whose two aristocratic brothers do not want her to remarry. The duchess defies the demands of her brothers, who subsequently persecute her. Director Cary Mazer, an associate English professor, said that the objective of the performance is both to educate and entertain. "The play ties together the student's classwork and their individualized study," Theater Arts Chairperson Mazer said. "It is appropriate for [the actors] talents and stage of development." Four of the nine actors are writing their senior theses on English Renaissance playwriting, including College senior Jeffrey Coon who said his independent study discusses how The Dutchess of Malfi was first performed in England. "I am researching how its themes of female sexuality and male dominance are pertinent in today's society," Coon said. Mazer said he selected this play because he considers Webster's playwriting equal in dramatic power and language to that of Shakespeare's. "The play is widely studied in English and Theatre Arts classes, but has had few stagings in the United States," Mazer said. "This is a rare opportunity to work on a play of such high caliber dramatic writing." The Dutchess of Malfi will be performed tonight through Saturday and next weekend at 8 p.m. in the Annenberg Center's Studio Theatre. Tickets are available on Locust Walk.

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