Actors rehearsing a scene from “God of Carnage” are, from left, Sherry Brown, Greg Jamison, Mara Luv and Ron Baker. (Photo by Teri Maddox)
By Mackenzie Gregory
The Scene staff
The Forest Park theater department will present the play “God of Carnage” this month at the Mildred E. Bastian Center for the Performing Arts on campus.
The Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Play, and received three nominations in 2009.
“I was drawn to directing ‘God of Carnage’ because I found it to be both brutally comic and reflectively tragic,” said Theater Manager Alex Saccavino in his director’s notes. “The play comments on work, marriage, parenting, gender and our ability to get along.”
The script was written by French writer, actor and director Yasmina Reza and translated into English by British writer and director Christopher Hampton.
It centers on the families of two boys who get into an altercation on the playground. Their parents meet to discuss the issue. However, the conversation soon turns into an uncivilized, childish squabble.
“When two couples cannot resolve a seemingly simple issue, is it reflective of a much bigger societal problem?” Saccavino asks. “I find our inability to communicate a major issue in our country today. Is our civility a veneer? Do we have a natural inclination toward violence? Are we even responsible for our own behavior? If we cannot succeed in resolving simple issues, are we doomed for failure?”
Saccavino
The play’s four actors include Forest Park alumni and members of the community.
“I saw the audition on Facebook,” said leasing agent Ron Baker, 24, who plays father Alan Reille. “I actually wanted to be Michael. I read both parts, and the director chose me to be Alan. Now I am happy with my role. (Alan) is very self-centered and disconnected from his emotions and family.”
Alumna Mara Luv, 33, is cast as Alan’s wife, Annette Reille.
“Annette comes off very reserved,” she said. “In the beginning, she is soft-spoken. She has an undertone that her husband’s behavior bothers her.
“I am an actress, and I am developing my resume,” Luv added. “I am getting more exposure and experience. I saw they were having auditions here, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I used to be a student here and love Forest Park, so I thought I would come and support the school. I did plays in high school. I think kids can show their creativity in theater.”
Costumer Marty Renner helps actor Mara Luv decide on a necklace before play rehearsal for “God of Carnage.” (Photo by Teri Maddox)
Sherry Brown, 29, plays mother Veronica Houllie.
“I work at an elementary school and had some downtime on my hands,” she said. “I was in last spring’s show, and Alex emailed me about this show.
“I feel like (Veronica) is a want-to-be know-it-all. She wants to stand up for what’s right but has a weird way of going about it. She is snooty a little bit, but I think she does have her son’s best interest at heart.”
Alumnus Greg Jamison, 28, is cast as Veronica’s husband, Michael Houllie.
“I’ve worked with Alex before,” he said. “I took his class acting for the camera and was in a play last spring. Michael is a hard worker, I would say. A handyman, sarcastic and mild-mannered.”
The English version of “God of Carnage” premiered in London in 2008 before opening on Broadway the following year. Tony Awards went to Reza for Best Play, Marcia Gay Harden for Best Actress in a Play and Matthew Warchus for Best Direction of a Play.
Nominees included Jeff Daniels and James Gandolfini for Best Actor in a Play and Hope Davis for Best Actress in a Play.
“Hopefully this cast of both newcomers and seasoned performers will lead the audience to plenty of after-show discussions about the nature of who we are, albeit after a healthy dose of laughter,” Saccavino said.