Musical genius hits PLU Theatre in Amadeus
PLU opens their 2016-2017 season with arguably the greatest composer in history: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In Amadeus, the scene is the 18th Century and Antonio Salieri is an established composer. Salieri has given himself to God so he might realize his sole ambition to be a great composer. Enter Mozart a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri’s grasp: Genius.
Amadeus plays October 13 (Student Preview), 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7:30pm and October 23 at 2pm in Eastvold Auditorium of the new Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite, at the PLU Community Box Office 253-535-7411 and at the door for cash only.
“This is a play about Mozart, but… from Antonio Salieri’s point of view,” Jeff Clapp, director, explains. “Salieri was the biggest thing in western Europe at the time between 1780-1800. Now, all of his work is forgotten. Then along comes Mozart, a musical genius. Some would say a savant.”
Salieri is a devout Catholic and has prayed to God to become a famous composer. While he becomes well-known, when he hears the music of Mozart he understands that God is working through Mozart and not himself. To add insult to injury, he is the only person alive who understands Mozart’s music is far beyond what any composer at the time could compose.
The movie Amadeus won several Oscars, and while the stage play is not so different, the intimacy and emotion will elicit an even stronger and more immediate response.
“My hope is that the audience has more questions than answers following this showing,” Clapp explains. “In some ways the theatrical version allows people to understand Salieri in a more multidimensional way. He is human, with human jealousies, and there lies the question: is wishing or praying a person dead the same thing as being the instrument in said person’s death?”
Amadeus is intended for mature audiences due to sexual innuendos and strong language.
The School of Arts and Communication at Pacific Lutheran University houses the Departments of Art & Design, Communication & Theatre, and Music and presents more than 250 events each season. Pacific Lutheran University offers approximately 3,500 students a unique blend of academically rigorous liberal arts and professional programs. Students develop skills in decision-making, analysis, communication and reasoning that prepare them for a lifetime of success – both in their careers and in service to others.
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