“Gaslight” hits Leedy Theater stage
Cassandra Barrett
Staff Writer ’19
Wig and Buckle Theater Company will raise its curtain again on Feb. 9.
“Gaslight” is the third student-run performance to hit the Leedy Theater stage in the 2017-18 season. This Victorian thriller, also known as “Angel Street,” was written by Patrick Hamilton in 1938 and tells the story of Jack and Bella Manningham, who live on Angel Street in 19th century London.
At the beginning of the show, the life of the Manninghams appears to be normal. However, as the show progresses, it becomes evident that things are not as they seem.
Director Sydney Fuhrman, a senior English major, is no stranger to the Wig and Buckle stage. She has performed in many productions at LVC including: “Blithe Spirit,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Amadeus” and “Lion in Winter.” But this is Fuhrman’s first experience directing a show; she was eager to direct this show having had a great deal of experience not only as an actress on stage, but also with her literary knowledge as an English major.
“Since I’ve been involved in theater, mostly on stage since I was pretty young, I thought it might be a really good experience to try it from a different perspective and see how my experience in theater, and also my literature studies, would translate to being a director,” Fuhrman said.
While Fuhrman was eager, she was also very nervous to take on such a large task. Luckily, she had a partner to help. Stage manager Tyler Miller, a junior English major, makes sure that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly.
Miller is also a Wig and Buckle veteran. She directed “Kiss Me, Kate” and stage managed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” shows performed in the 2016-17 season. She returns this season to stage manage “Gaslight” and is grateful for these valuable stage experiences because she hopes to be a stage manager after graduation.
Miller enjoyed working with Fuhrman on this production and looks forward to seeing all of their
efforts come together on stage.
“I really liked working with Sydney,” Miller said. “She knows what she wants as a director and she isn’t indecisive. We’ve both created a really great rehearsal and production environment.”
But Fuhrman and Miller can’t put this production on alone. They rely on help from the lighting crew, costume and makeup team, prop team, set crew and many others to be able to have such a successful final product.
They also both agree that Dr. Kevin Pry ’76, associate professor of English, has been an invaluable resource throughout rehearsals. Pry has advised Wig and Buckle through 83 shows, spanning 23 years, and was also involved with Wig and Buckle as an LVC student. His tremendous amount of experience not only with Wig and Buckle, but also with other theatre companies, has allowed him to give advice and support to the student-led organization.
“He knows the show,” Fuhrman said. “He knows Patrick Hamilton. He knows the nature of a thriller and how to create suspense, so I have definitely valued his input.”
Miller echoes Fuhrman’s appreciation for Dr. Pry.
“Dr. Pry is vital”, Miller said. “He is literally like a walking encyclopedia. He’s always there if things get really stressful.”
Dr. Pry understands the amount of experience and support he provides for students, but he believes that Wig and Buckle’s shows are continuously phenomenal because of the dedicated students.
“I am in constant amazement of how flexible these people are, how compassionate they are, how hardworking they are,” Pry said. “I just am amazed at them. It’s why I keep working. It’s too amazing to walk away from. It’s all because these people are so dedicated.”
Fuhrman encourages everyone to see the show not only because it’s entertaining and suspenseful, but also because the students have worked tirelessly to bring the production to the stage.
“The amount of work that the cast and crew have put into this absolutely deserves to be seen,” Fuhrman said.
The show runs Friday, Feb, 9 until Sunday, Feb. 18 with performances as follows: Feb. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be reserved online through Wig and Buckle’s newly updated website, by email and also by calling the box office. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for non-LVC students and LVC alumni and staff; and $5 for senior citizens and children 10 and under. Tickets for LVC students are free.