FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 26, 2002

IVC Theater Presents "The Good Woman of Setzuan"

An original musical score augments the production's visual effects that include masks, puppets, and an exposed stage.

IRVINE, CA - The Irvine Valley College Theatre will present "The Good Woman of Setzuan," Bertolt Brecht's famous parable about the search for goodness in an evil world, on Friday, March 15 in the IVC Forum Theater.

"The Good Woman of Setzuan," written by Brecht in 1942 as an oriental folk tale, is the story of an impoverished prostitute, Shen Te, who is chosen by the gods to receive money after she helps them.

The gods hope to show that Shen is one good person in the world who will now lead a good life. But she soon learns that it's hard to lead a decent life with greedy family and unscrupulous villagers appearing at every turn, and she invents a cousin, Shui Ta, played by Theresa Brown in both roles, as a merciless alter ego to shield herself and her money from those who would use her.

The production features an all student cast of 16, many in multiple roles using masks and other devices.

"The value of the play is in the picture it paints of a person who tries to be good, but can't," said director John Jones, a long-time instructor at the college. "One just cannot always be good, and a curious aspect of the play is that it ultimately offers no narrative solution for decency. It's left up to the audience to figure it out."

Jones adds that the play was written to expose the stagecraft behind it, to allow the audience an unfettered view of what normally happens in the dark between scenes or behind the curtain. It is meant to reveal the magic of theater, an approach that has defined modern drama.
Jones describes Brecht's vision of the theater as more like a country fair; it's metaphorical and based in anti-realism. And the play's puppets, masks and music bring the make-believe world of Setzuan to life.

"The Good Woman of Setzuan" runs from Friday, March 15 to Wednesday, April 24. Tickets are available now: $11 for students and seniors, $12 for adults. Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The box office is open Wednesdays, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the box office or by calling (949) 451-5333.

Producer: Ron Ellison
Director: John Frederick Jones
Composer and Musical Director: Randy Woltz
Light & Sound Designer: Jim Rynning
Set Designer: Sean McMullen

Costume Designer: Diane Graebner
Puppet Mistress: Rebecca McMullen

Irvine Valley College is located at 5500 Irvine Center Drive, on the corner of Jeffery Road and Irvine Center Drive in Irvine. For more information about Irvine Valley College, please call (949) 451-5100.