Can't get tickets to see Al Pacino as Arturo Ui at the National Actors Theatre? No matter. Cornell's Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts will be launching its own production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui beginning Thursday, Nov. 21. Written by playwright Bertolt Brecht while he was in exile from the Nazis in 1941, the play is a funny and frightening farce that satirizes Hitler's rise to power. Set in Chicago during the Great Depression, Arturo Ui was inspired by American gangster movies.
"Brecht wrote this play at the height of Hitler's power, when the dictator seemed invincible," said director David Feldshuh. "Brecht wanted to remind the world that terror is resistible, so he invented Arturo Ui, small-time thug and pathetic bungler, Al Capone seen through the eyes of Charlie Chaplin. The play is a daring combination of music, video, singing and dance -- a comedy with the elements of vaudeville. It is unabashedly theatrical."
The Cornell production has 28 cast members, including four resident professional teaching associates. The demanding title role of Arturo Ui is played by guest equity actor Richard Watson, whose New York City credits include the SoHo Rep and the Protean Theatre Company.
The dark comedy features original music by composer Lewis Flinn, who has written scores for numerous New York City theatrical productions as well as music for commercials for Nestlé and Microsoft.
Evening performances are Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 5-7 at 8 p.m. One afternoon matinee will be offered Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. The evening performance Thursday, Dec. 5, is followed by an audience discussion with members of the cast and crew.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $11 at the door, general admission; $8 in advance, $9 at the door, seniors and students. Call 254-ARTS (2782) for tickets and information or visit the box office in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 430 College Ave., 12:30-5:30 p.m. weekdays.
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