![\"Helen](\"http:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/webmachinal-vertical-by-dan1.jpg\" "\\"webmachinal-vertical-by-dan1\\"")
<\/a>Helen Jones, played by Betsy Yeary, feels trapped in a loveless marriage to Mr. Jones, played by Marshall Kupresanin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Performances will be held in the Center for Performing Arts Centre Theatre Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13-15, and Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 18-22. Curtain time will be at 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday performances, which will take place at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis play is a struggle between heart and mind,\u201d said director Irene Alby, UT associate lecturer of theatre. \u201cThe longing to be free to express one\u2019s natural humanity versus the desire to fit into a society that expects one to behave in a particular way.\u201d<\/p>\n
An expressionist play, \u201cMachinal\u201d goes beyond the dialogue and blocking typical of a realistic tragedy. Powerful emotions and ideas are expressed through metaphor, and Alby uses film, choreographed movement and mask work to enhance the juxtaposition of the natural world versus the industrialized, mechanical world depicted in the play.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Machinal\u2019 warns us of what happens if we do not have the courage to take responsibility for our true selves,\u201d Alby said. \u201cRepressed ideas, thoughts, emotions and fantasies inevitably lead to desensitization, anger, extremism and even hate. The things we refuse to face in ourselves grow and fester inside, like cancer cells multiplying until our passive-aggressive demeanor becomes filled with an inner violence. Helen Jones does not take responsibility for herself or her choices. As a result, when she finally does make decisions, she makes them from an ego that is completely out of control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alby said she believes the play is still significant.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis theme is still relevant in our post-industrial, service-oriented society. Routine censorship still takes place in the guise of political correctness. Politicians and the media regularly distort facts in exchange for sensationalism and publicity, and a \u2018me first\u2019 mentality has replaced any sense of citizenship or customer service from both a personal and corporate point of view,\u201d she said. \u201cAlthough our clich\u00e9s have changed, the fight between our spontaneous and instinctual selves and our attempt to be polite, financially secure, scientific, socially acceptable and employable is ongoing and merciless.\u201d<\/p>\n
Treadwell was a campaigning journalist who closely followed the sensational trial, conviction and execution of Ruth Snyder. This play is a meditation on the events that could lead a woman to commit such a crime. Its title, \u201cMachinal,\u201d named for the French word for \u201cmechanical,\u201d reveals an underlying and insightful critique of society during her time.<\/p>\n
The play\u2019s expressionist style gives the students the opportunity to broaden their acting skills, Alby added.<\/p>\n
Students in the cast for \u201cMachinal\u201d are Betsy Yeary, Marshall Allan Kupresanin, Tyria Allen, Kelly McGuire, Jason Santel, Terri Mims, Carey Fisher, Starr Chellsea Cutino, Jillian Albert and Ashley Stephens. All actors except Yeary also are members of the ensemble.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $13 for general admission; $11 for faculty, staff, alumni and seniors; and $9 for students. A group discount of 15 percent will apply automatically anytime eight or more tickets are purchased in a single order; each ticket in the order will receive the discount off the regular price of that type of ticket.<\/p>\n