Red Noses
Directed by Sean Dillon
December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m.
December 11th at 2:00 p.m.
Dailey Theatre
$10/$8/$5
Designed by David Flaten
Stage Manager: Amanda Novoa
Set in mid-14th century France at the height of the Great Plague, Red Noses is a hilarious and thought-provoking play that is an artful blend of fast-paced vaudeville-style humor, song and dance, naughty and bawdy banter, biting satire, and deep and moving theatrical moments. Written in 1978 by British playwright Peter Barnes and first produced in 1985, Red Noses is perhaps even more topical today than it was when it was written.
Red Noses is the story of a Catholic monk, Marcel Flote (Zachary Green), who seeks a heavenly sign to show him the way to serve God’s will and ease man’s suffering in the face of the Black Death, the Great Plague that has taken the lives of more than a third of the people in Europe. When Flote accidentally makes people laugh, he hears the sign he has so long awaited. He decides that he must spread laughter and joy, and recruits a band of misfit performers he calls the Red Noses to spread happiness and hope. Among this unlikely group of zanies is a blind juggler (Ray Del Rio) and his assistant (Kevin Greene), aman who communicates solely by the ringing of bells (Cole Wagner), a stand-up comic with a severe stammer (Daniel Ramirez), a pair of one-legged dancers (Matthew Oaxaca, Alexander Sheen), a lustful nun (Ariana Harris), and a couple of mercenary soldiers (Daniel Bride, Jeremy Law) turned musician and artist. When Archbishop Monselet (Cody Goss) off-handedly gives his permission, he leaves a zealously obedient priest, Father Toulon (Jake Tittl) to travel with them as a spy.
Granted the status of a religious order by Pope Clement VI (Scott Chandler), the Red Noses must navigate the treacherous landscape of plague-ridden France, including corpse-robbers (Alvaro Renteria, Travis Snyder-Eaton) who deliberately spread the plague to rob rich victims, and a band of flagellants (Thomas Vickers, Gabrielle Atchley, Eric Fernandez) who believe that the way to salvation is inflicting pain upon themselves, debauching gold merchants (Alon Dina, Thom Smerdon) who now spend their gold with sharp-dealing prostitutes (Jessica Gerard, Sarah Rae Jackson), a dancing leper (Lauren Ervin), and a bitter family of scavengers (Gemma Alfaro, Jose Arias, Sierra Taylor) who make a living from what the plague leaves behind. The Red Noses overcome their challenges to bring mirth to a suffering world, and laugh in the face of death. The greatest challenge, however, comes when the plague comes to an end and the old ways of wealth and power return to reassert their control over the world.
Red Noses is directed by Sean Dillon, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts. In recent seasons, Dillon co-directed The King Stag and The Screens, and directed Rabbit Hole for La Verne Theatre. The expansive scenic design by Dr. Flaten takes advantage of the unique configuration of Dailey Theatre, and offers both a grand scale and intimacy with the audience. The production features the work of professional guest artists, with an impressive array of period costumes designed by Rachel Shachar, and an evocative lighting design by Cameron Mock.
Reservations and information are available from the University of La Verne Theatre (909) 593-3511, ext. 4386. The University of La Verne’s Dailey Theatre is located on the University of La Verne campus near the corner of Third and B Streets, 1950 Third Street, La Verne, CA 91750.
