University Theatre opens summer season with ‘Under the Gaslight’

Cheer for the hero, boo and hiss at the villain and sing along to familiar tunes at University Theatre’s first production of the summer season: the 19th century melodrama ‘Under the Gaslight’ by Augustin Daly.

This suspense-filled and action-packed production promises an evening of pure entertainment by developing time-honored melodramatic conventions — audience participation, live musical accompaniment, spectacular scenic effects and charming specialty song and dance numbers.

In keeping with melodramatic tradition, the play features the struggle between good and evil, innocence and villainy. The lovely, spirited Laura Courtland’s engagement to rich Ray Trafford is thwarted by the evil villain, Byke. When Laura’s birthright is called into question, she must search for answers among the “wolves of society” and the city’s rough street folk, none of whom are what they first appear to be. In the course of her struggles, Laura is abducted by the villain and plunged into a raging river, a would-be hero is tied to the railroad tracks, family secrets are exposed and characters’ hidden motives are revealed.

Amidst the fast-paced storyline, Daly’s ‘Gaslight’ also gives audiences a snapshot of late 19th century city life. Director Karen Ryker comments that “Daly brings us as close as possible to many walks of life: the elegant and heartless upper-class society, enterprising bohemian wharf boys and the miserable hovels of the poor.”

Although the play is thoroughly patriotic, it alludes to social issues of the time — class conflict, income tax complaints, capricious court systems, ill-treated civil war veterans and women’s suffrage — without beating you over the head with them,” says Ryker.

Guest set designer Chuck Erven has ingenious plans for meeting the melodrama’s design challenges. “We’re stepping away from the 19th-century wing-and-drop conventions to put the show more directly in the laps of the audience. In some ways, this setting is a big mechanical toy … the interiors, streets of New York, country woods, city piers – complete with boats moving through the foggy river – are all on stage simultaneously,” explains Ryker. Perhaps the greatest design challenge for the intimate black box playing space is the play’s most famous scene in which a locomotive rumbles right onto the stage.

Musical director Bob Monschein’s original music as well as old favorites will underscore the performance and accompany the show’s “olio” acts — vaudeville-type specialty numbers that open, close and appear throughout the production as interludes.

‘Under the Gaslight’ will be performed in the Hemsley Theatre’s always-popular cabaret setting with drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $14 for the general public and $10 for UW students.

SHOW TIMES
June 26            7:30 p.m.
June 27            5:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
July  1            7:30 p.m.
July  2            7:30 p.m.
July  3            7:30 p.m.
July  8            7:30 p.m.
July  9            7:30 p.m.
July 10            7:30 p.m.
July 11            5:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
July 14            7:30 p.m.
July 15            7:30 p.m.
July 16            7:30 p.m.
July 17            7:30 p.m.
July 18            5:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
July 21            7:30 p.m.
July 22            7:30 p.m.
July 23            7:30 p.m.
July 24            7:30 p.m.
July 25            5:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
July 28            7:30 p.m.
July 29            7:30 p.m.
July 30            7:30 p.m.
July 31            7:30 p.m.
August 1           5:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.