University Players continues its 53nd season with Chameleon, a new play written, directed, and designed by School of Dramatic Art faculty member William Pinnell. The play runs October 20 to 23 and 26 to 30 at Essex Hall Theatre.
“This is another first for University Players,” says Lionel Walsh, director of the School of Dramatic Art. “In our 53-year history, this is the first time that we have produced a play written by one of our faculty members. This makes our production of Chameleon both unique and exciting.”
In Chameleon, the handful of residents in Indian Cliffs, New Mexico, have caught wind of a brutal murderer on the loose. People breeze by on the highway, but few stop at Fletcher’s Emporium… except on this especially stormy night, when a tense standoff in search of the camouflaged killer ensues. The wind isn’t the only thing that changes direction in this thrilling mystery as the true identity of The Chameleon is eventually revealed.
The play began as an angry response to the events of September 11, 2001, recalls playwright and director Pinnell, with one scene that he couldn’t shake: where the terrorist, fleeing from the law, tries to hide for a couple of days in a small town.
“The idea of a mystery began to take shape”, says Pinnell. “My vitriolic tone was replaced by humour and attempts of verbal trickery. Themes of dishonesty, retribution, insecurity, personal courage and shattered dreams emerged. The title Chameleon, which applies in some nature to all of the characters, stemmed quite naturally from a common thread of deception.”
He said that during rehearsals, the student cast provided insight into line rhythms, loopholes in the plot, and invaluable suggestions as to character growth and dynamics
“They have treated this project with an intelligent and objective eye, and I thank them for their insight and personal devotion,” Pinnell says.
Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. On Sunday, October 23, a “Talk Back” discussion with the director and actors will follow the performance. Preceding the performance that day, University Players and Uni-Com present Let’s Talk Theatre, a new luncheon-lecture series. The three-course lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Freed-Orman Centre, with Pinnell, leading a discussion of the play.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling Uni-Com at 519-253-3000 ext. 3430. Please specify chicken or vegetarian quiche when ordering tickets. Free parking is provided at the Assumption University parking lot.
University Players tickets must be bought separately; they are available at a reduced rate for those attending the lunch. For play information or tickets, call 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.UniversityPlayers.com.