Performances of “The Serpent Lady” will begin on Tuesday night in the Auditorium.
The play tells the love story of the mortal king Farruscad, and the Serpent Lady, Cherestani, who is an immortal queen of a magical land. Through many curses and transformations, Cherestani turns into a snake.
Magical fairies control characters’ actions and Farruscad spends the entire play trying to end the curse to get his wife and children back by his side.
The story is not a typical fairy tale. It will be told in a form of commedia dell’arte, a comedic presentation that relies heavily on masks, humor and reaction from the audience.
“It’s a rare form of theatre, so being in a show of this style is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said theatre junior Marley Boone, who plays one of the six fairies in the play.
Theatre senior Casey James will play Farruscad. He said after years of being involved in MSU plays, he’s excited to finally play a leading role.
“It’s nice to be at the top for once,” James said.
Stage manager and theatre sophomore Ellie Seelye said the students have spent two months preparing for opening night.
Every week, students have committed about 25 hours to perfecting the play.
Seelye said the production is fixing minor details and is planning costumes, makeup and hairdos.
“It’s a story that a lot of people don’t know about, so it will be really fun to see how people will take it in,” she said.
The play will be held in the Studio 60 Theatre, a small theater in the basement of the Auditorium. Attendees will sit on the ground just feet away from the actors -- camp fire style - to get an intimate connection with the story.
Since the play relies heavily on audience interaction, James said he’s been anticipating the opening night of this show more than his other performances.
“Opening night is always the best night,” he said. “Adding the audience to the show will definitely heighten the experience. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.”
The show will begin Tuesday night and end on Sunday afternoon.
The production will also include a post-show discussion on Thursday following the performance. Tickets to the show cost $10 and can bought on the Wharton Center website.
