Hanna Hamblen
Columnist
In two weeks’ time The Acting Machine, a play written by Elmer Rice in the 1920s, will be performed at the Gulick Theater. I asked Leah Ruggierioto tell me a little bit about herself and the upcoming performance. She is a senior PCA major who plays the character Daisy in the play. The performance is an intriguing and thought evoking comedy that is sure to enthrall a diverse audience.
What acting experience do you have?
As a PCA major I have been involved with, performed in, or at least attended many plays here at St. Lawrence. I have been in a number of director’s showcases, I did the soundboard for the play last semester, and I was in the main production as a freshman. I also play Daisy, one of Zero’s coworkers, in The Acting Machine.
Tell me about the upcoming performance.
The play is in two weeks. It opens on Nov. 5th, a Wednesday, and closes on the 9th. It is set in the 1920s, and tells the story of a crucial turning point in Zero the accountant’s life. There’s romance, comedy and drama. Tickets are not required, which is convenient.
Who else is performing?
The cast is large for St. Lawrence; there are 9 of us all together, and quite a few of us are seniors. Austin Liebers is the main character Zero, Eric Chapman plays a tour guide, and Pegeen Stone plays a man. She is cross-dressing for the role!
What are some aspects of the performance you would consider a draw to the audience?
It’s only an hour and a half (not really a long time.) I’ve been involved in a lot of productions, and this one has numerous small technical aspects that you see at bigger schools but that we’ve never seen at St. Lawrence. For example, in this play the stages revolve! There are a lot of funny little quirks, and tiny unique details in this play that make it worth coming to even if you don’t have a friend performing. There’s romance, drastic weight gain, and a girl dressed as a man! It’s something new and different.
The Counting Machine is described as a unique quirky play with new technological aspects, and a comical, romantic plot that appeals to all types of people. Enjoy the show, everyone!