PERIBANEZ Opens At Northwestern University, 2/11

"Peribanez," a romantic tale of desire, honor and revenge, is a thought-provoking stage production one might consider sharing with one's own special Valentine in mid-February. Opening Friday, Feb. 11, the daring classic explores what a man will do for the love of a woman.

Written by Lope De Vega (1562-1635), one of the most prolific playwrights and poets of the Spanish Golden Age, "Peribanez" will be presented by the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University at the Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, on the Evanston campus.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13; 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20. Post-show discussions with members of the cast and creative team will follow the Feb. 13 matinee and the Feb. 17 evening performances.

Directed by award-winning TIC artistic director Henry Godinez, with an English translation by Tanya Ronder, "Peribanez" will feature a cast of 16 Northwestern student actors and a creative team of Master of Fine Arts students, Northwestern faculty members and professional designers.

"'Peribanez' poses some complex questions about love, lust, obsession, revenge, the abuse of power and community," said Godinez. "It also calls into question apparent class distinctions and reflects on the value of simple integrity."

Lope De Vega was a priest and a soldier who fought in the Spanish Armada. He had two families and loved women. He wrote at the same time as Shakespeare but was more prolific. It is estimated that he penned as many as 1,200 plays of which some 800 survive. "Sadly, not many people in this country know much of his work," said Godinez. "As a result, it is a great privilege to present one of his works."

Northwestern's version of "Peribanez" is set in the Dominican Republic of the 1950s. It tells the story of newlyweds Peribanez and Casilda, a young couple who have found perfect bliss until fate intervenes, bringing into their lives a jealous Commander determined to take Casilda for himself.

The production will feature choreography by Billy Siegenfeld; fight choreography by Santosha Chantal; costume design by Emily Tarleton; set design by Scott Davis; lighting design by Nastassia Jimenez; and music design by Miles Polaski. The live music featured in the production is by School of Communication junior Alex Goldklang, Bienen School of Music and Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences senior Alok Nadig and Bienen School senior Kelly Hoppenjans.

"Peribanez" is two hours and 25 minutes long and has a 15-minute intermission.

Single-tickets are $25 for the general public; $22 for seniors 65 and older, Northwestern faculty and staff and area educators and administrators; and $10 for full-time students with IDs and Northwestern alumni who graduated within the past two years.

TIC is offering $10 single-ticket prices to Thursday night season performances to U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families (with a valid military ID), as well as $10 ticket discounts for Northwestern alumni who have graduated within the past two years (with a valid WildCARD ID).

Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Single or group tickets may be purchased through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or online at www.tic.northwestern.edu.

(Source contact: Nichole Cooper, manager of marketing and communications, Theatre and Interpretation Center, at (847) 467-2426 or n-cooper@northwestern.edu.

NORTHWESTERN NEWS: www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/

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