February 26, 2007

New theater arts faculty member makes directorial debut

Last year, the Theater Arts Department welcomed Kirsten Brandt--an award-winning director, producer, and playwright—-as a new lecturer in drama. Brandt now makes her UCSC directing debut with a lively multimedia production of Bertolt Brecht's parable The Good Person of Setzuan, currently playing through Sunday, March 4, in the Theater Arts Mainstage.

Bertolt Brecht's

Clockwise from top: Ronald Feichtmeir as Wang, Sarah Kate Anderson as Shen Te, Chad Stender as Yang Sun in Bertolt Brecht's The Good Person of Setzuan
Photo: Steve DiBartolomeo

Presented in a new adaptation by playwright Tony Kushner, The Good Person of Setzuan focuses on the failings of society and asks whether it is possible for a person to be good in a capitalistic society. Kushner, one of the most prominent contemporary playwrights in America, is known for the political themes of his works and for his landmark Angels in America - Part One: Millennium Approaches.

Brandt is joined by numerous faculty and student colleagues in mounting this production, which includes original choreography by assistant professor of drama Patty Gallagher; scenic design by assistant professor of design David Lee Cuthbert with student Robyn James; costume design by assistant professor of design Brandin Barón with student Tanya Finkelstein; lighting design by David Lee Cuthbert with student Kelly Kunaniec; sound design by student Ben Jaffe; plus original music by San Diego-based Ruff Yeager.

Brandt was artistic director of San Diego's nationally recognized cutting-edge company Sledgehammer Theatre for six years. She studied directing at the University of California, San Diego, and playwriting at the University of Birmingham, England.

Tickets are $13/general and $9/students and seniors; UCSC undergrads with ID are admitted free; staff, faculty, and Alumni Assoc. members with valid ID may purchase up to two tickets at the $9 student price. Tickets are available at the UCSC Ticket Office (831) 459-2159, events.ucsc.edu/tickets, or at the door.

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