“Encore, Encore” playwright Colin Crowley witnessed the Department of Fine and Performing Arts bring his play to life for the first time in the Vonnie Borden Theatre.
The play opened last Tuesday and was supposed to run until Friday, but Thursday and Friday night’s performances were cancelled due to inclement weather.
An additional performance was made on Saturday. Admission was free for students with a university I.D.
Jeff Polito directed the play which was written by 2015 SLU Inkslinger Playwriting Contest winner Crowley, who flew from Connecticut to view the university’s production of his work on Wednesday night.
The play was about the life of the Dorothy Parker during her rise to fame and her struggle with her first marriage with World War I veteran, Edwin Pond Parker II. Dorothy Parker became a founding member of an elite group of writers called the Algonquin Round Table. In the while, her husband dealt with his experience of the war with drugs and alcohol.
Junior general studies major Angela Griffitt played the role of Dorothy Parker and sophomore marketing major Matthew Dale Carona played the role of Edwin Pond Parker.
Although the play dealt with serious issues, it kept the audience laughing with wit.
“Initially, I was inspired by the way Colin wrote the play,” said Polito “As I was reading it the first time, I was struck by how witty it was. Then the more research I did on Dorothy Parker I realized that’s what she was famous for: her wit.”
Polito said he had fun with the casting process.
“We had so many people show up to the auditions and so many good ones,” said Polito. “It was a beautiful problem to have because there was so much talent in the Southeastern theatre program.”
Members of the opposite sex played characters and ‘broke the fourth wall’ frequently throughout the play. The tall, male actor, junior business management major, Neal Eli played the role of fellow female Algonquin Round Table member, Ruth Hale. Her entrance on stage generated laughter from the audience.
After the play, Department of theatre and performing art students, instructors and other interested attendees had the opportunity to ask the playwright questions. During this, Crowley spoke about how he could relate his personal life to the story, how the characters in the story developed and the reasons why he wrote the play the way he did.
“I liked that idea of the dissonance between the comedy and the tragedy,” said Crowley. “And that’s what makes it even funnier than it would be at certain points.”
Crowley enjoyed the university’s production. He said he was impressed by the actors’ ability to take on the difficult roles and the way the stage was run with the difficult scene changes.
“Thanks to all of you and thanks to Jeff too for doing such a great job with things,” said Crowley. “I really, really appreciate it.”
After Crowley gave thanks, Polito said: “Thank God you liked it.” Those who participated in the question and answering erupted in laughter.
Crowley also said it was his first time in Louisiana and he was enjoying his time in the state.
The play opened last Tuesday and was supposed to run until Friday, but Thursday and Friday performances were cancelled due to inclement weather. An additional performance took place on Saturday.