So this is a little bit of a belated update as we've been done with Fuente Ovejuna for about two weeks now but with last minute projects, papers, and exams going on I think I'm justified. Anyway, The Tower Players' production of Fuente Ovejuna was phenomenal and was a huge success with our audience. Great student designs, amazing directing, and wonderful performances brought the little town of Fuente Ovejuna right into the black box. The intimate nature of the space put things right in the audience's face so they couldn't escape the strong emotions surrounding the story.
Miriam Poole's thorough research and hard work resulted in a realistic depiction of a small Spanish village with a menacing castle. The stark lighting from Cory Drewry left no question of the moods of the play. The student designs helped move the story forward and added that punch that subconsciously coaxes the viewer into the plot without them knowing.
The villagers were incredible. Stunning performances from Kirsty Sadler, Caitlyn Hubbard, Stephan Godleski, Daniel Racke, and Pat D'Amato aroused sympathy from the audience and set up the jovial everyday life of Fuente Ovejuna.
As Commander Guzmรกn, I had the pleasure of performing with some equally villainous actors. The Knights of Calatrava benefited from performances by Trevor Freudenburg, Ryan Black, Josh Dygert, and James Allen. I had such a great time with this show! Lope de Vega is a brilliant playwright and I am honored to have been a part of a theatrical tradition that has existed for four centuries.
