Lies, mistaken identities, and a whorehouse disguised as a dress shop could all be found in
Warren Enters Theatre at Upton Hall this weekend.
It’s all in a little play called “The Ladies Man,” an 1886 comedy farce written by Georges
Feydeau and adapted in 2007 by Charles Morey. The play is set in Paris in the 1900s.
According to theater department director Donn Youngstrom, in a farce, the lead character,
or protagonist, is the victim, and he or she is usually surrounded by crazy people. This play
contained its share of loopy characters.
“The Ladies Man” details the chaotic twist of events for a man named Dr. Molineaux, whose
little white lie turned into several lies to his wife of two years.
“I saw this production a couple of years ago, and it was fantastic,” Youngstrom said. “I really
enjoyed it and I thought it would be good for our students because they have done farce before,
but they have not done a Feydeau farce.”
The play opened Wednesday, and the room was far from quiet as the audience watched this
doctor dig himself a deeper hole with each falsehood.
“It’s really fast, crazy, things always happening, slamming doors, it all goes quick,” Youngstrom
said regarding the play’s style. “Lots of slapstick, lots of words, and lots of sexual innuendo in
it.”
Cast members prepared for their eccentric roles using various methods.
“After learning the play backwards and forwards, I started watching some farcical TV shows and
movies to help get inside the character better,” said Shabar Rouse, a senior theater major, who
played the lead, Dr. Molineaux.
Bassinet, the clueless patient and friend to Dr. Molineaux, provided comic relief, with a
noticeable lisp that left viewers almost in tears of laughter.
“These actors are amazing and they worked very hard,” said Carrisa Welch, a sophomore media
production major. “They did a great job, and I’m very proud of them all.”
The audience was a key factor in the play’s success.
“The audiences have been laughing in the right places and have been very responsive,” said Erin
Clarke, a senior theater performance major, who played Molineaux’s maid, Marie.
“They seem to be engaged and on board with us for the journey. We’ve been lucky to have
that. It’s really difficult to stay focused when you’re doing a funny play and the audience isn’t
laughing.”
The actors agreed that making people laugh was their priority.The laughter helps them gain and
keep their confidence on stage, among other things.
“It’s really been a gift to make people laugh for a few hours. Times are hard and people really
need and deserve a laugh. If we’ve helped make people forget their troubles for a little while, I
think we’ve done our job,” Clarke said.
“My favorite part of being in this show has to be the satisfaction that we as a cast get after
working so hard on making this show come alive and doing it so long without an audience, and
more importantly without laughs,” said Micheal Wagner, a sophomore theater major, who played
Dr. Molineaux’s valet, Etienne.
There was camaraderie on- and off-stage, as it seemed the director and actors all felt that the
experience was a pleasing one.
“I really loved working with this group and I think they’re all doing an extraordinary job,”
Clarke said. “Everyone was hardworking, open, had a good attitude — no egos, no bad tempers —
a great sense of fun and play, and every one of them is hilarious offstage, as well as on.”
Youngstrom is proud of his actors’ talent and determination.
“It’s been terrific. I mean, the great thing is, that when I arrived about 18 and a half years ago,
although the program was fine, it’s really grown, the actors’ training has grown, so I’ve got very
accomplished actors. So (I don’t have) to teach acting while directing. I’m just directing, so
that’s nice,” Youngstrom said.
The department is trying a new understudy performance this year, at a matinee show Saturday.
Carmella Losi, a junior theater major, is honored to be able to understudy Madame Aigreville,
and appreciates the knowledge she gains from watching the performances each night.
“It’s great — even though I’m not performing, I’m learning a lot,” Losi said. “It is still just a big
honor to understudy because you’re still getting involved in something and getting experience,
even though you’re not actually performing.”
The play will continue at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. General
admission is $15; Faculty, staff, and alumni are $10; Buffalo State Students are $6; and high
school students get in free with ID. Tickets can be purchased online through the Performing Arts
Center or via phone at (716) 878-3005.
Caitlin Kupiec can be reached by email at kupiec.record@live.com.