Advanced students from the Little Theatre at Central Methodist University will delve into the question of “What is love?” in their annual short performances directed and acted exclusively by CMU students.\
The performances are Thursday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre. Admission prices are $8 for adults, $5 for CMU faculty and staff and senior citizens, and free for CMU students with identification.
Three young directors--junior theatre major Myriah Araiza from Columbia, senior theatre major Karlie Noll from New Cambria, and junior theatre major Abby Wimberley from Independence--will direct their fellow thespians in scenes from the beloved play Almost, Maine and the newer Love/Sick, both by playwright John Cariani. Both look at love from various angles with humor and a sweetness that prevails, regardless of the outcome.
Araiza will direct “Getting it Back” from Almost, Maine, with Will DiStefano (freshman biology major from Harrisburg) as Lendall and Jordan Fallis (sophomore music education major from Moberly) as Gayle; “Lunch/Dinner” from Love/Sick, with D.J. Davis (freshman psychology major from Fayette) as Mark and Terri Banderet (senior biology major from St. Louis) as Kelly; and “Destiny” from Love/Sick with Ben Kixmiller (freshman theatre major from Prairie Home) as Jake and Jaiden Preston (freshman pre-declared major from Kennett) as Emily.
Noll will direct “The Answer” from Love/Sick, with Chance Roberts (freshman music education major from Fayette) as Keith and Whitney Bias (sophomore communication studies major from Versailles) as Celia; “This Hurts” from Almost Maine, with Addie McGuire (senior biology major from Higbee) as Steve and Jordan Fallis as Marvalyn; and “Where it Went” from Almost Mainewith Darius Pago (junior business major from Simi Valley, Calif.) as Phil and Terri Banderet as Marci.
Wimberley will direct “Seeing the Thing” from Almost, Maine with Terri Banderet as Rhonda and Addie McGuire as Dave; “What?!?” from Love/Sick with Addie McGuire as Ben and Jordan Fallis as Andy; and “Where Was I? from Love/Sick with Cori Bryan (sophomore music education major from Springfield) as Liz and Bailey Stevens (freshman criminal justice major from Glasgow) as Abbie.