YCMTC succeeds again with 'Festival'

BY AARON LICHTIG

Last year, the Yale College Musical Theater Company (YCMTC) debuted with The Robber Bridegroom, a raunchy romp with a fantastic cast. This fall's Festival, the YCMTC's second effort, is as good as the first.

Festival's plot centers around a pair of star -rossed lovers, Aucassin (Ray Shem, ES '03) and Nicolette (Katie Vagnino, BR '03), who have fallen in love against the wishes of their powerful fathers, who are rivals. Nicolette escapes from the tower in which her father has held her, setting off searching and pining that would have made Romeo and Juliet jealous. The whole affair is narrated by the Troubador (Cat Davis, ES '03), who gives a standout comedic performance.

Director and adaptor Scott Peterman, JE '02, deftly tweaked the original script to reflect his zany sensibilities. Snide references to contemporary movies, video games, and theater occur throughout the play.

Peterman has assembled a talented cast of actors to act in his interpretation of the unsuccessful off-Broadway musical. Davis, whose talent could turn even a stage adaptation of Anna Karenina into a comedy, not only plays the Troubador who narrates the tale, but also shows her versatility by appearing as a guard, a minstrel, and a gorilla at various times during the show. Shem is outstanding as the play's most serious character, and Lindsey Ford (the Viscountess) displays a phenomenal voice. Michael Shulman, DC '03, steals the show and brings down the house with his portrayal of the disco fever-stricken Oxherd.

The actors' talents in physical comedy elevate the play from humorous to knee-slappingly hilarious. Davis is the master, as evidenced by the scene in which she is dressed as the guard, the movements of her tongue oozing sexuality. The Gypsy Queen (Julia Hart, CC '03) also has a strong turn as a seductive temptress.

The play's lighting could be improved; often the theater is too dark or the spotlight is misplaced. The whole production appears very chaotic—some of this is obviously intended, but some is not. On the whole, though, Festival, largely due to Peterman's strong directing, is the funniest comedy to hit Yale theater since, well, The Robber Bridegroom.

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