Read more of Director Quiroz’s informative note at https://theatre.msu.edu/labyrinth/
To me, this show had the feel of a Shakespearean comedy farce — with an Ancient Greek mythological setting amid conflict between Athens and Crete— featuring a layered labyrinth of revenge, romance, mistaken identities, disguises and some lively swordplay as courtiers conspired and competed in overlapping love triangles, as their servants joked behind their backs. My particular favorite servant was the wry and winsome Sebastian Barnett as “Tuna”.
Kudos to Director Quiroz for keeping this fast and fun. Kudos to the fight choreographers Alexis Black, Kim Seabright Martin and Jacob Squire. This show is part of MSU’s “storefront series” which means minimal set, and this one is a minimal but maximal backdrop curtain of colorful ribbons, allowing magical entrances and hiding places. The large arena posts are well used for hiding and eavesdropping. Costumes are a sort of timeless/classic motley collection that added to the fun. Neither set designer nor costumer are listed in the program, but kudos to whomever.
This text was translated by Barbara Fuchs, Aina Soley, and Rhonda Sharrah of UCLA’s Diversifying the Classics project. You can read other translations and keep up with latest projects at http://diversifyingtheclassics.humanities.ucla.edu/
This new/old-fashioned farce plays only ONE WEEKEND, continuing Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 & 8 and Sunday at 2. Get tickets at https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/love-is-the-greater-labyrinth and pick them up at the Farm Lane end box office of the MSU Auditorium Building. The Arena stage is downstairs on the south side of the building, next to the Studio 60 stage.