The repercussions of sibling rivalry gone awry are illustrated by the play “True West.”
Presented by the University of Idaho Theatre Arts Department, “True West” will be shown 7:30 p.m. March 30-31 and April 5-7 and 2 p.m. April 1, 7 and 8 at the Forge Theater. Admission is free for UI students, and $10 to $15 for the public. Tickets are available at BookPeople or at the door 30 minutes before curtain.
The main plot focuses on two brothers, Austin and Lee, played by Gerrit Wilford and Dan Cassilagio, pitted against each other as their personalities are juxtaposed throughout the play. They could essentially have everything, but they refuse to work together and recognize each other’s strengths, so neither of them end up getting what they want.
Conflict arises when Austin, an aspiring, educated screen writer, pursues a job with Hollywood, and his up-to-no-good younger brother gets the opportunity instead.
Director Stephen John, A Master of Fine Arts in theater, had extensive experience in directing and was excited to work with the production of “True West.” Growing up 40 miles south of Los Angeles, John had familiarity with exactly where the plot takes place and a better sense of the area’s demographics.
“Everything the script describes is where I grew up,” John said. “After doing some research, I realized that Sam Shepard, the playwright, and I have travelled many of the same roads. To a certain extent, the house in the play feels like my grandmother’s home.”
Known as one of the best American playwrights of all time, Sam Shepard recently passed away in July of 2017. The university production of “True West” is timely in honoring Shepard’s death, and John predicts there will be many tribute performances across the nation in the near future.
The show is a fully produced production, allowing John to work with both MFA and undergraduate designers with set, lighting and costume ideas. John described the show as “exciting” and “very tense,” rating the content PG-13 for mild vulgar language, physicality and other general violence.
Costume designer Breanne Servoss said people should see the play because the set is new and different from the average sets at the Forge Theater.
The audience will be engaged closely in the action, as the set has a usable oven, stove, refrigerator and sink that allow the characters to use running water and cook real food.
The intimate space allows the audience to also notice the minute details of each costume they may not see in bigger theaters like the Hartung, Servoss said.
Servoss knew she wanted to become a costume designer since her junior year of high school, and “True West” is her first time designing a show by herself instead of assisting.
The opportunity came to gain experience, and she knew time would make a difference, as all of her time and energy would be put into fittings, measurements, dress rehearsals and official performances.
“Being a costume designer allows me to use my imagination for a magical career,” Servoss said. “I love reading a script, sketching out the costumes on paper and then going to the shop to pick out fabrics and bring my ideas to life.”
Allison Spain can be reached at [email protected]