USD Theatre Season Kicks Off with Loves Labours Lost
Assistant Professor Tim Pyles directs this witty romance, which follows four young male scholars who try to keep to their studies after the intrusion of four young women into their secluded world.
“‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ is an uproarious and hilarious comedy about love, lies and the predicaments that both create,” Pyles said.
Though a classic, Pyles has found a way to help USD students relate to this piece in a contemporary way.
“Our modern-set production of Shakespeare’s ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ finds the contemporary spirit in this fun-filled romp through infatuation, disguises and learning what true love really means,” said Pyles.
Alex Newcomb-Weiland, a senior musical theatre major, plays the Princess of France and said she has enjoyed working on the show because of the language.
“Most people, including myself, are scared and don't understand the language that Shakespeare uses. But with this show, we have gotten the opportunity to really dig deep into all the layers of what he is saying. Honestly, the difference between Shakespeare and contemporary works is not too drastic, especially when it comes to the broad understanding of people and how they work.”
Newcomb-Weiland also relates to her character more than she thought she would.
“My character is a princess, and though we have grown up very differently from each other, I find a lot of similarities between her and myself. It has been very cool to find those connections even though the text is hundreds of years old. It really goes to show how much people are people and always will be, regardless of the timeline.”
Check out USD Theatre on Facebook (Theatre at University of South Dakota), Instagram (@usd_theatre) and Twitter (@usdtheatre) for information about special discounts during the run of “Love’s Labour’s Lost.”
“Love’s Labour’s Lost” performs Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 26-29 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances on Sept. 23 and 30 at 2 p.m. in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre on the USD campus. Tickets can be purchased in the afternoons at the USD Theatre Box Office or by calling (605) 677-5400; tickets can also be purchased online.
