Student play pushes limits (Photo by Veronica Terefenko, The Daily Campus)
Most love stories are stereotypical, feel-good tales that conform to society’s perception of an ideal relationship. “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” is not one of those stories.
Although it was originally written for a man and a woman, director Harrison Ford, a junior theater major, opted to shatter the stereotype by having two women perform the piece.
Junior theater majors Michelle LeBlanc (Frankie) and Jenn Nix (Johnny) take sexual desires to a new level in this mature play about two women in their mid-20s who face everyday relationship problems and ultimately discover that love is timeless, regardless of sex.
This 50-minute student production brings gay issues to the stage and brilliantly displays the emotions and hardships involved in unexpected love.
Frankie is a young, vulnerable individual who would rather play it safe than get hurt.
“She is very guarded and has a tumultuous past,” LeBlanc said.
Johnny is a slightly older, outgoing woman who tries to break Frankie’s barriers and convince her to open up emotionally.
The actresses naturally and comfortably fit their characters despite the raw, tension-filled atmosphere.
Stage manager Lee Helms said most student productions push the limits with various controversial topics such as religion or murder, but not like this.
“Sexual reality comes out [in this play],” he said.
It’s hard to describe the play further without giving anything away but it is very safe to say this piece will turn heads and widen eyes as well as receive a few deep gasps from the more conservative audience members.
“This is not a feel good play,” said Ford. “This is real life, in real time.”
“Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” opens at 8 p.m. tonight in B450 of the Owens Fine Arts Center and runs Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m.
Again, this play is intended for mature audiences as it contains strong sexual content and language.
Student play pushes limits (Photo by Veronica Terefenko, The Daily Campus)
