OLIVIA HAHNER
staff writer
Who runs the world? Girls!
Technically no, but in Gannon University’s upcoming production, one girl will try to take control of her own destiny.
“Placebo” will be the Schuster Theatre’s mainstage performance for the Fringe Fest Erie 2018 season.
Fringe Fest Erie is a fundrasier for the Schuster Theatre’s participation in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which is held in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“Placebo” follows Louise, a scientist who is working on a placebo-controlled study of a new female arousal drug, Resurgo.
Resurgo is made to be different from other drugs like Viagra.
The play describes Viagra as “purely about mechanics, penile mechanics. Whereas Resurgo aims to get inside a woman’s mind.”
As Louise’s work in the lab navigates the blurry lines between perception and deception, the same questions pertain more and more to her life at home.
This production will be directed by the Rev. Shawn Clerkin, an associate professor and co-director of Gannon’s Center for Communication and the Arts, Melanie Vadzemnieks.
Clerkin and Vadzemnieks worked hard to find a cast that could perfect this production.
The cast of “Placebo” consists of Gannon students Zach Hyman, Eli Kerr, Angela Weeks and Cheyenne Stefano.
“It’s been fun to work with such a small cast,” said Weeks, a junior physician assistant major.
“We all happen to be close friends, which makes this play even more fun. I’m excited for ‘Placebo’ to open next week. ‘Placebo’s’ humor comes from how relatable and honest it is.”
“Placebo” will be showing Feb. 15 through Feb. 18.
Showings will be at 8 p.m. on Feb. 15-18 and additionally at 2 p.m. on Feb. 17.
The Patron of the Arts Reception will be held Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Schuster Theatre lobby. All are welcome to come, mix and mingle with the “Placebo” cast and crew prior to the opening performance.
Admission is $7 general admission or $5 for Gannon faculty, staff, and students with a current Gannon ID.
For ticket reservations, more information about “Placebo” and other Fringe Fest productions, visit gannon.edu/Visitors-and-Community/Area-Attractions/Schuster-Theatre/.
OLIVIA HAHNER
[email protected]
