Samantha Sincock
Web Editor
The University of La Verne department of theater invites everyone to come see “Curse of the Starving Class,” which opened last night in the Dailey Theatre.
Written in 1977 by American playwright and actor Sam Shepard, “Curse of the Starving Class” depicts the Los Angeles transition from an agricultural land to an urban city.
Shepard follows a Southern California farming family struggling to survive the harsh society damaged by a devastating economic climate.
“Shepard is an incredible and vivid writer who brings sadness, happiness, laughter, and awkward moments all together at once,” Director of Theater Steve Kent said.
“There is nudity and strong language in this production and it is not suitable for young children.” Kent added.
The play brings together the many elements of the theater experience to engage the audience with the actors on stage.
“There is a point where artichokes and bacon are being cooked on stage, you can smell it in the air,” Kent said.
“A gallery of art from the seventies will be displayed on the side walls allowing the audience members to connect with real people who went through this time.” Kent added.
A unique aspect of the production is the inclusion of livestock. There will be a live lamb on stage throughout the performance.
“Learning how to play off the live lamb’s noises has been a great challenge for me stopping the audience from loosing focus,” Kris Bicknell, who plays Weston, said.
Bicknell, who graduated in the fall will present his senior performance thesis, “Before the Red Trees Come,” in May.
This play not only captures the essence of the awkward issues in the seventies, but it can connect with many people today.
“I think that this performance is extremely relevant to the current economy and we can all connect with it,” Bicknell said.
“I think that this play focuses on the poverty and past in a broader frame,” Sam Guzik senior theater major, who plays Wesley said. “It is going to provide less judgment and a lot more understanding.”
Kent has wanted to do this production for more than 20 years and cannot wait for everyone to see how driven and incredible his team has been with the show.
“I do not care if it is a live lamb or naked man on stage to get them here in those seats; they need to see the magic and realism of “Curse of the Starving Class.”
Samantha Sincock can be reached at samantha.sincock@laverne.edu.
