Students step on stage to have a ball Rehearsals under way for OWU theatre production Ring Round the Moon

Students in the Theatre Department are busy with rehearsals for the upcoming spring production Ring Round the Moon premiering on April 13 on the main stage in the Chappelear Drama Center.
Ring Round the Moon is a parody of upper-class vanity adapted by the eminent British playwright Christopher Fry based on Jean Anouilh’s L’Invitation.
The play is being directed by Dr. Ed Kahn, associate professor of Theatre & Dance. Kahn is being assisted by junior theatre major Leah Shaeffer.
Shaffer said she is looking forward to the production.
She said the cast and crew will surly make it a spectacular show and not only on stage.
“We have some big ideas for decorating the entire theatre for the show,” said Shaeffer.
“On stage, we are planning on having a working fountain, carefully sculpted topiaries and glowing lanterns strung over the audience.”
Shaffer said in addition to the wonderful acting, it is going to be a visual beautifully production.
Ring Round the Moon is different than most productions put on by the theatre department.
In the play, several wealthy individuals attend a French high-society ball, but most of them are unaware that there are several elaborate schemes and pranks going on behind the scenes.
As the night unfolds and turns to dawn, the party gets crazier and crazier.The chateau is presided over by the wheelchair-bound chatelaine, Madame Desmortes, who has identical twin nephews. Both twins are played by junior Matthew Jamison.
Kind-hearted and innocent Fredrick is engaged to a rich heiress who actually loves Frederic’s cold-hearted brother, Hugo.
Hugo knows Fredrick’s marriage will be a disaster and attempts to disentangle the engagement.
Senior Misa Farslow is one of the leads in the play.
She said the witty play is different than anything she has ever acted in before.
“It is a really happy play with a happy ending, although it is not the ending most would expect.”
Shaeffer said working on Ring Round the Moon will be a unique experience for her as a theatre major.
“I have not worked on many translations before,” she said. “It is also broken into three acts rather than two, which is unusual compared to most plays I’ve worked on.”
She said it is a very funny play.
“(It’s) probably the most comedic play I’ve ever worked on.”
Ring Round the Moon will premier at OWU on April 13, 15, 20, 21 and 22 on the main stage in the Chappelear Drama Center.