BELLEVILLE WEST THEATRE PRESENTS CLASSIC COMEDY THIS WEEK

Belleville West Little Theatre will present the annual contest drama on Thursday, March 20.  This year’s offering is The Learned Ladies, a classic comedy by Moliere, translated by Richard Wilbur.

Clitandre (senior Theo Rickert) seeks the hand of Henriette (senior Natalie Hall), a match heartily approved of by Henriette’s father, Chrysale (senior Eric Perschbacher).  However, his wife, Philaminte (senior Sylvi Segraves) has other plans for her younger daughter—namely marriage to Trissotin (senior Quinn Brown), a foppish wit who panders to Philaminte’s intellectual pretensions.

Further complications are quickly introduced:  Armande (senior Jordyn Struense), Henriette’s older sister, once rejected Clitandre but now resents his attentions to Henriette.  Belise (freshman Corinne Shoemake), Chrysale’s sister, believes (incorrectly) that all men are wildly in love with her.  And Vadius (junior Savannah Hay), another scholar, is jealous of Trissotin’s hold on Philaminte.

Did you get all that?  Needless to say, the course of true love does not run smoothly!

The contest play offers a unique opportunity for drama students.  The play must be performed within a 40-minute time period, and student technicians have 20 minutes to set and clear the stage for performance.  The Learned Ladies will compete against other area schools to win a berth in the IHSA state tournament.  This year’s sectional competition will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22.

The production is directed by Mr. John Lodle and Mr. Tyler Herron.  The student directors are senior Elda Thacker and sophomore Bree Aplin.

The March 20 performance is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Belleville West Performing Arts Center, located at 4063 Frank Scott Parkway West.  Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.  Advance tickets are available at this link: https://cur8.com/17848/project/130170.