LA RONDE, Directed by Arthur Schnitzler adapted by Eugene Hare

Location:
Vienna

Time:
Turn of the century

Synopsis:
The pursuit of...what? Pleasure? Happiness? Intoxication? The pursuit...of...

CAST:

the Prostitute ...............................................................Lita-Marie Townsend
the Soldier..................................................................................Greg Willey
the Chambermaid.................................................................Sarah Kaminski
the Gentleman..........................................................................Keith Stevens
the Young Wife......................................................................Ellyn Stepanek
the Young Husband........................................................................Ed Walsh
the Sweet Young Thing..................................................................Mary Bell
the Poet................................................................................Keith Kornajcik
the Actress....................................................................Donna Burns Phillips
the Count..............................................................................Rodger Govea

A NOTE ON THE AUTHOR AND THE PLAY

Arthur Schnitzler is too little known in this country. A recent surf of the internet noted no fewer than 15 productions of Schnitzler's work in his native Germany in the last year. Not bad for a man who's been dead for more than six decades. The evaluation of his merits as a playwright have been clouded by his (largely undeserved) reputation as the Playboy playwright of Franz-Joseph's Vienna. At first glance, the little play we are to see tonight would seem to confirm that reputation. The round dance he portrays with such wisdom and honesty might be mistaken as advocacy by some. Yet while Schnitzler clearly has a deep sympathy for these seemingly merry dancers, there is an unmistakable tone of sadness bordering on regret, what one critic referred to as veering between laughter and tears. If Schnitzler portrayed his Vienna with a bit of a wink, he also did so without blinking. Though fin de siecle Vienna is a century and half a world away, you may see a bit of end of millenium Cleveland tonight as well.
_______________________________________Wayne S. Turney Summer 1998