Sex, shoes and curves

UTPA Theatre Department prepares for new season

Note: This article originally appeared in the Feb. 27, 2014 issue of The Pan American. The Pan American was the student newspaper at my former university, The University of Texas - Pan American, where I got into writing. Ultimately, TPA was shut down as a result of a merger with neighboring university to make way for The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley and the new student publication did not transfer anything from TPA. Here's one of my articles for them that was saved thanks to the miracle of Google Docs.

With the spring semester in full swing, the UTPA Theatre Department is set to premiere its three productions that will play throughout the semester: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Real Women Have Curves, and Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Tom Grabowski, the UTPA theatre director, called the lineup an interesting one and explained the range of genres this semester is intended to keep the upcoming season fresh and different from the previous season. Last semester's group included the horror productions The Woman in Black and Diner of the Dead.

“We always try to attract an audience by presenting works that we know we need to do because our students and audience members need to be exposed to them,” said the 57-year-old Illinois native, who began teaching at Pan American University in 1981. “Each play this semester is different, Liaisons’ is a period piece drama that is very involved, due to all the costumes and sets we’ll need. The other plays are lighter and not as technically elaborate.”

Les Liaisons Dangereuses, or Dangerous Liaisons, is an adaptation of the 1985 stage play based on the 18th-century novel of the same name. It tells the story of two noblemen and ex-lovers who seduce and humiliate others as a form of entertainment. The UTPA version is scheduled to run from Feb. 26 through March 2.

Real Women Have Curves is a coming-of-age tale set in 1987 Los Angeles and revolves around five women working at a sewing factory. Themes in the production range from body image to feminism. The show runs April 23-27.

Luis Moreno, a senior majoring in theater performance, is in the starring role of The Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

“The role is a challenge because the character is a sadistic pig,” the 24-year-old theater performance major said. “It’s our job to show that audiences that, no matter how disgusting, misogynistic, or evil our characters are, these guys are relatable.”

His co-star, Gina Marie, admits to enjoying her role as The Marquise de Merteuil, calling it a change of pace from other performances she’s done.

“In the past, I’ve played older, gentler characters,” the Pharr native said. “These guys aren’t conventional heroes and its indicative of how strong our season is.”

Marie is also performing in Real Women Have Curves.

The final production of the semester will be Twelve Dancing Princesses, from the Theatre for Young Audiences Program, an initiative that airs plays aimed at younger audiences. This production is an adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale The Shoes that were Danced to Pieces.

The story is that of a king who challenges a prince to solve the mystery of where and how his 12 daughters sneak off to every night. If he succeeds, the prince wins the hand of the princess of his choice. However, if he fails, the prince will be decapitated.

“There are no beheadings here. This adaptation will be a bit cleaner than a normal Brothers Grimm tale,” Brian Warren, the play’s director, said. “We’re also having some moments of comedy, like the inclusion of a reluctant executioner who’s not a fan of his job.”

As the title implies, Twelve Dancing Princesses will feature a dance number for each princess. The genre of dances includes salsa, irish step dancing, country and more.

This adaptation will feature student actors from Warren’s Children’s Theater Workshop class, which will also double as their final. Child actors will be featured in the production as well.

“We’re always interested in allowing children to see the joy of theater and how beneficial it can be for them,” said the 52-year-old Iowa native, who has been at the University since 2002. “By performing with adults, and vice versa, everyone gets to see how the process of theater is done. It’s exciting.”

Twelve Dancing Princesses will run May 1-4. More information can be found on the University Theatre website.