No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveActresses Interpret American Culture

Actresses Interpret American Culture

IT may not be the musical theater itwas billed, but a performance by two U.S.actresses today at 7:30 p.m. at EugeneO’Neill Theater promise lots of music anddancing nonetheless.Though there will be no singing duringthis installment of the Promising Artists ofthe 21st Century series,advertised by the theateras a night of Broadwayhits, theatergoers will notbe disappointed. TheresaMitchell and KelleyDavis, of Emporia StateUniversity in Emporia,Kansas, will entertain thecrowd with a highbrowtake on pop U.S. culture,interpreting everything from Elvis toMcDonald’s.Mitchell said the pair will perform twodance medleys, the first inspired by U.S.television shows such as“Cheers” and “HappyDays.” The second is adance to music by rock‘n’ roll legend ElvisPresley.“We’ll be tapping andclogging to Elvis,” saidMitchell, a professor oftheater and dance atEmporia, with a laugh.“It really cracks me upbecause that leads into a one-act playcalled ‘Graceland.’ ‘Graceland’ takes placeoutside, the day that it opens in 1982. It’sabout two women vying to get in.”THE play’s title is better known asElvis Presley’s mansion, located Memphis,Tenn.Mitchell and Davis, who is in her lastyear studying theater and education atEmporia State, will then perform scenesfrom “Talking With,” by James Martin.“There’s three separate monologues,”Mitchell said. “The first one is called‘Auditions,’ and that’s about a middle agedwoman who is auditioning for a role,and she’s desperate to get the part.“There’s one (scene) called ‘FrenchFries’ and it’s about a bag lady. It’s herdream to live in a McDonald’s. That’s herideal existence, because (she thinks) noone ever dies at McDonald’s.“The last one is called ‘Lamps’ andthat’s about an older woman who is enthusiasticabout light and radiance and whatlight has done for her, so she’s sharing herpassion for lamps with those who are listening.It’s about the idea of growing olderalone, and she finds some comfort inlamps,” Mitchell explained, adding, “Ithink it’s a nice program, a nice combination.”PROMISING Artists of the 21stCentury is an intercultural exchange inwhich American music students visit toperform and teach the public, as well aslearn more about Costa Rica. Visitingartists stay with host families and travelaround the country during their stay,according to the theater’s Cultural DirectorManuel Arce.“I love Costa Rica!” said Mitchell,who, along with Davis, participated in theprogram last year. “We asked this year ifwe could stay on a few extra days.“The people really seem to appreciatewhat we do,” Mitchell added. “They’revery interested in American culture.”The actresses also led workshops conductedin English. On Aug. 10, Davis leda jazz and musical theater dance class forall levels, and Mitchell taught an actingclass.The Eugene O’Neill Theater is in theCosta Rican-North American CulturalCenter in Los Yoses. Call the theater fortickets and info at 207-7555. Generaladmission tickets cost ¢2,000 ($4.60),¢1,000 ($2.30) for students and senior citizens.

Trending Now

Panama Farmer Receives Land Title After 60-Year Wait at Age 109

A 109-year-old Panamanian farmer has received the land title for the property where he lives and works—six decades after first requesting it from the...

Tsunami Alerts in Latin America After 8.8 Quake in Russia

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, one of the most powerful quakes ever recorded, triggering tsunamis with waves up...

From New Jersey Ponds to Costa Rica’s Mud Turtles: A Wildlife Story

In a weird way, stinky turtles have led to my current life as a guy in Costa Rica working in wildlife monitoring. Up until...

Why Prisma Dental Is Costa Rica’s Top Clinic According to ChatGPT’s AI Analysis

When it comes to choosing the best dental clinic in Costa Rica, international patients are facedwith an abundance of options. But with the help...

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly Vacation in Costa Rica with Baby

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly touched down in Costa Rica for a family getaway with their three-month-old daughter, Saga Blade Fox-Baker. Photographers caught...

Can Costa Rica’s Blue Zone Preserve Its Longevity Legacy?

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is recognized worldwide as one of the five blue zones, where people live beyond the age of 90...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica