University of Southern Maine

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USM Stages Machiavelli's  “The Mandrake”

March 23, 2007

Nearly 30 years after first directing a well-received production of “The Mandrake,” USM Professor of Theatre William Steele believes the time is right for another staging of Machiavelli's satirical take on the corruption of society.

The USM Department of Theatre will present “The Mandrake” at 7:30 p.m., April 20, 21 and 26, 27, 28, and at 5:00 p.m. on April 22, 25 and 29.  All shows will be at the Saint Lawrence Arts Community Center, 76 Congress Street on Portland's Munjoy Hill. For tickets or more information, call 780-5151, http://www.usm.maine.edu/theater.

Steele directed a “traditional translation” of the 500-year-old classic in 1968 to audiences who connected with its themes of lying, cheating and betrayal. This time, the veteran director is staging a “more contemporary translation,” complete with classical renditions of Beatles' songs.

“It offers a perfect metaphor for current issues, be it U.S. foreign policy or corporate greed,” said Steele. The play features lying and scheming in the service of romance so it's easy, noted Steele, “to be distracted by its dark and raunchy humor, as well as its physicality.  But this is not in the Commedia dell'Arte tradition,” he said. “It's a play about ideas, and in particular, the timeless theme of the ends justifying the means.”   (Editor’s Note: Steele’s Director’s Notes are reprinted below.)

“The Mandrake” revolves around the lovesick Callimaco, played by Nick Cyr of Bangor, who will do anything to bed the beautiful Lucrezia, played by Alicia Ouellette of Madison. Lucrezia, however, is married to a lawyer, Lord Nicia, who is played by Andrew Coffey of Wolfeboro, N.H.  Callimaco employs the services of Ligurio (Parker Newton of Fairfield, Conn.) and Brother Timothy (Jeffrey Toombs of Cape Cod, Mass.), a priest who will do anything for money.

Other key characters in the tale of corruption include Siro (Mary Casas of Washington); Sostrata (Janelle LoSciuto of Windham); and the  Woman at the Church (Meghan Benton of Buxton).

EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos and captions of USM's production of "The Mandrake”  are available to download at http://www.usm.maine.edu/theater/  Click on "media" in the left margin. Complete bios on William Steele and cast members are reprinted below. Steele's “Director's Notes” also are reprinted for your further reference. For help with photos, interviews or arrangements for reviews, please contact Bob Caswell of USM Public Affairs at 780-4200, caswell@usm.maine.edu/. 

DIRECTOR'S AND CAST BIOS:

William Steele of Falmouth, Director

William Steele has been teaching theater and directing plays at the University of Southern Maine for many years. He is an award-winning playwright and drama critic, the author of four books on theater and film and a professional actor with hundreds of national and regional film and television credits. Favorite shows directed at USM include David Rabe's Streamers, Arthur Miller's All My Sons (ACTF New England regional selection), Tennessee Williams' Small Craft Warnings and A View from the Bridge, Arthur Kopit's Oh, Dad, Poor, Dad, Mark Medoff's When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? and Tom Power's Grannia (ACTF New England regional selection). He has held governmental appointments to the Maine Arts Commission, the New England Foundation for the Arts and the Governor's Advisory Committee on Public Broadcasting.

Meghan Benton of Buxton - The Woman at the Church

Meghan is a fourth year Theatre major from Buxton, Maine. Meghan's USM credits include, “Beatrice,” The Servant of Two Masters, “Audrey” Layers of Love and “Ensemble” The Good the Bad and the Wilde (Irene Ryan nomination). She also recently played “Kim” in the Two Lights Theatre Ensemble's production of Purple Breasts.

Mary Casás of Washington  - Siro

Mary is a sophomore theatre major at USM.  Her previous credits include “Brighella” in The Servant of Two Masters, “Susan” in Purple Breasts, The Vagina Monologues, and “Eliza Doolittle” in My Fair Lady.  Mary hails from the small town of Washington, Maine.  She plans on furthering her acting career outside of Maine after she graduates.

Andrew Coffey of Wolfeboro, N.H. - Lord Nicia

Andrew is a senior Media Studies major from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.  This is his third production at USM. His roles have included A Night with David Ives, (Irene Ryan nomination) and The Good the Bad and the Wilde. Andrew has been acting for most of his life and has been in plays since the age of 5. He hopes to bring his acting experience to some sort of media venue in the future.

Nick Cyr of Bangor - Callimaco

Nick is a junior theatre major who hails from Bangor, Maine.  He was last seen on stage as “Jack” in USM Student Performing Artists production of A Night with David Ives (Irene Ryan nomination).  Other favorites at USM include “Nicola” in Arms and the Man and “Cinesias” in Lysistrata.  He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

Janelle LoSciuto of Windham - Sostrata

Janelle of Windham is a senior studying musical theater and voice performance, and she is very excited to be making her first Main Stage appearance in a non-musical! Janelle is a voice student of Rhonda Carlson, and has participated in USM Chamber Singers and chorale.  Most recently, Janelle appeared as Louise in Portland Players production of Gypsy.  At USM, she has played the first spirit in Mozart's The Magic Flute and was a soloist in By Rodgers, A Musical Revue.  Her favorite roles include Ariel in Footloose, Maria in West Side Story, and Ann in 1940s Radio Hour.  Janelle also teaches private voice at Center Stage Performing Arts and Fiddlehead Center for the Arts.

C. Parker Newton of Fairfield, Conn. - Ligurio

After living in the woods of Georgia last year, Parker decided it was time; time to continue his elongated quest for a college degree. Unsure what year he is, this is his second semester at USM and sixth year in school. Parker is a theater/media studies double major, concentrating on acting and video production. The Mandrake is Parker's second show at USM. Fun times in his book are pacing rapidly, twirling his hair and making things up.

Alicía Ouellette of Madison - Lucrezia

Alicía Ouellette is in her fourth year at the University of Southern Maine.  Most recently, she appeared in Dance USM! She was also in the SPA production of A Midsummer's Night Dream, and on the Main Stage in Shakuntala.  Alicía is excited about this opportunity to work with such a great cast and crew!

Jeffrey Toombs of Cape Cod - Brother Timothy

Jeffrey is a sophomore theatre major from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This is his fourth Main Stage production at USM.  Other roles include of Major Petkoff in Arms and the Man, Mr. Lyons” in Blood Brothers, and Frank Strang in Equus. Jeffrey is also the co-chair of USM Student Performing Artists and will be directing an original student work in the SPA Ten-Minute Play Festival.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

Nicollo Machiavelli's The Mandrake has always given scholars food for thought. Is it a bawdy, 16th-century satire of the politics of his day or merely a raunchy, fun-filled entertainment that cracks jokes at the expense of morality? No matter which side you choose, one thing's for certain: this play is anything but shy as it merrily plays with the idea that deceit is ok as long as everyone gets what they want.

In the world of The Mandrake, the ends do seem to justify the means as sexuality, fidelity and gender bias are turned on their heads in an evening of raucous shenanigans that lead to a happy conclusion.

So the question for me when I selected it for production was which way to run with it in terms of emphasis: satire or romp. I chose romp. Heck, its spring! But if you see more in the play, say parallels with U.S. foreign policy, well, you go right ahead. You'll probably find a few.

William Steele
Director

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