Durang's fun 'Baby' delivers

Christopher Durang has gotten a lot of exposure these past few months. University Productions presented "The Marriage of Bette and Boo" in the fall. This weekend, Basement Arts is presenting Durang's popular comedy, "Baby with the Bathwater."

The student-run production company is finally getting the acts together. Last semester's lineup was disappointing, as less than a handful of student productions were assembled for presentation. Although Basement Arts achieved success with its first-ever 24-Hour Theater, there weren't as many plays presented as had been in previous years.

DANA LINNANE/Daily "Baby with the Bathwater" premiered last night and runs through tomorrow.

One reason that Basement Arts hasn't offered that many productions this year is the possibility of silent opposition by a hidden crowd. As soon as casting calls and announcements about upcoming shows were posted on the call board inside the Frieze Building, they were ripped down.

In retaliation to the vandalism, members of the Basement Arts community and their fellow theater students left notes to the offenders, expressing their disgust.

The play's director, Music sophomore Matt Patrick, said the vandalism provided directly affected the rehearsal schedule of "Baby with the Bathwater."

"We had to postpone auditions as a result of the vandalism. I posted the announcement for the auditions, but within the next hour it was ripped down," Patrick explained.

After the vandalism stopped, Patrick and his cast were on their way into rehearsing for the comedy.

PREVIEW
	Baby with the Bathwater Tonight at 7 and 11; Saturday at 7 p.m. Arena Theater, Frieze Building

"Baby with the Bathwater" involves the story of a young couple who have a child. They are entirely satisfied with their baby except for one small detail - its sex. They had been hoping for a girl, and instead of just dealing with what nature gave them, they treat the boy as if he were a girl. It's no wonder parents are the cause of years of therapy.

This presentation of "Baby with the Bathwater" marks Patrick's first-ever directing attempt, so he is nervous and excited all at once. "I've assembled a young cast - possibly the youngest ever for the Basement," Patrick said.

"I've got three freshmen, two sophomores, and one junior performing together," he said.

The hardest part about presenting a play through Basement Arts is the time constraint set upon its rehearsal schedule. "We only had three and half weeks to rehearse, and I'm really proud of the cast for how far they've come," he added.

"This is going to be a hilarious show with all of Durang's dark humor. He often presents a twisted view of modernist America set in New York City. He's really a humorist," Patrick said.

Admission is free, but space is limited. Expect lines to get in.

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