The Male Animal, comedy of the sexes, is at CU's Schwartz Center

John Schaub as Michael and Emilie Stark-Menneg as Patricia, in the Schwartz Center production of The Male Animal, opening Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m. Courtesy of the Department of Theatre, Film & Dance

Cornell's Department of Theatre, Film and Dance will present The Male Animal, a comedy by James Thurber and Elliott Nugent, as part of the Schwartz Center's Black Box Series. Performances will be Friday, Nov. 14, at 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Schwartz Center. Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 at the door and are available at the Schwartz Center box office. Call 254-ARTS or visit the box office, 12:30-5:30 p.m. weekdays.

The Male Animal is a raw, slapstick comedy of the sexes that is as funny and relevant today as it was when it opened on Broadway in 1940. Set on a college campus, the play asks basic questions about freedom of speech, democracy, courage, love, commitment and, finally, the practicalities of life -- all with a dose of intelligent humor and witty dialogue.

Magda Romanska, who received her B.A. from Stanford University, directs The Male Animal. She studied at the Yale School of Drama as well as at the Art Institute of Chicago and currently is completing her doctorate in theater at Cornell.

The cast includes Matt Volner playing the part of Tommy Turner, Larissa Paschyn as Ellen Turner, Harlan Work as Joe Ferguson, John Schaub as Michael, Phil Mills as Wally Myres, Emilie Stark-Menneg as Patricia and Scott Bunch as Ed Keller. The production team includes: Emily Dolan, a graduate student in the music department (sound); Jessica Davis, a textiles and apparel major (costumes); and theater majors Dan Crawford (set design) and Chris Muller (stage managing).