EGO ACTUS www.egoactus.com
presents

THE TRAGEDY OF DANDELION

By DUNCAN PFLASTER
Directed by JOAN KANE

May 22 - June 8, 2014

Urban Stages
259 W. 30th Street, NYC Tickets: Dandelion.BrownPaperTickets.com or (800) 838-3006

Scenic Designer MARK MARCANTE
Costume Designer CAITLYN CISEK
Light Designer BRUCE A! KRAEMER
Sound Designer DAVID LAWSON
Projection Designer ROY T. CHANG
Fight Choreographer TEDDY LYTLE
Prop Designer LYTZA COLON
Press Representative SCOTTI RHODES PUBLICITY

Cast

Kate Dickinson, Dianne Diep, Louise Flory, Mim Granahan, Erin Nelson, Maria Peyramaure, Calaine Schafer, Shannon Stowe, Susan Wallack and Kelly Zekas
Musician - Revay Hanneman

Duncan Pflaster's THE TRAGEDY OF DANDELION is a five act play written in iambic pentameter. With definite nods to Shakespeare, the work, performed by 10 actresses playing 30 roles, is full of assumed identities and genders, disguises and romantic entanglements.

The play takes place "a long time ago" in the warring kingdoms of Queen Alice (Mim Granahan) and King Sebastian (Shannon Stowe). The pregnant and betrothed Princess Dandelion (Louise Flory) flees home in the guise of Prince Dandy to escape the consequences of an ancient law that would force her to marry her own rapist. Disguised as a man, Dandelion initially receives asylum in the Queen's palace, allowing her to reside with her lover, Prince Crispin (Maria Peyramaure). Soon tracked by her father, King Sebastian, and her husband to be (Dianne Diep), Dandelion is imprisoned, but escapes with the assistance of Crispin's sister Princess Celie (Kelly Zekas). Joined by court jester, Josser (Erin Nelson), the group has a series of adventures involving local rogues, mysterious nuns and soldiers.

For all of the implied action, the sets are minimal in this production, with scenes partially set by wall projections. Appropriate attention is paid to the costumes which effectively and successfully contribute to the overall experience of DANDELION. With so many characters, and not only all of the male roles being performed by women, but also female characters disguising themselves as men, costumes that clearly define roles are critical.

Well-structured, but a bit lengthy, THE TRAGEDY OF DANDELION addresses serious and timeless topics such as rape, sexual identity and gender roles while also using the type of rhetorical devices so common in influences like Shakespeare that bring an undercurrent of humor and humanity to the content. Save some slight awkwardness in some scenes that unfold at the abbey, the performances were presented with skill.

- Kessa De Santis -