Hurley brings zany characters to stage in 'Mad Dog Blues'

GCSUnade.com

Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Variety

By Vanessa Voigt

The student- directed play "Mad Dog Blues: An Adventure Show in Two Acts" opened Thursday at 8 p.m. in Russell Auditorium. 

The director of the play, senior John Hurley, said he undertook the task of directing the play to satisfy his theater major requirements.

"Theater majors at GC&SU are required to participate in a 'Senior Capstone Experience.' I had two choices for my 'experience.' I could either detail my experiences as a lead character in a show or I could direct my own production," Hurley said.

Hurley said he chose to direct a play and by doing so, undertook a completely new experience. 

"I've been onstage here at GC&SU for the past four years in roles like Matamore in 'The Illusion' and Arthur in 'Dracula: Revamped," Hurley said. "So I wanted to take all the experience from the last four years and use it to try something new. I mean if you're going try something, you might as well try something new and challenging."

Hurley chose the play "Mad Dog Blues" after going over about 50 scripts. Hurley said that he picked this play for a number of reasons. 

"I think this show more than any other we've done here in the last few years is geared towards the college crowd," Hurley said. 

Another reason this play was picked was because of the characters, Hurley said. 

"I chose "Mad Dog Blues" because its characters caught my eye from the first page. The play features a rock star, a pusher, a bombshell, a seductress, Paul Bunyan, a cowboy, a pirate, an Indian ghost girl, and Jesse James. Also there are "ninjas"," Hurley said. "The ninjas are called Koken and they facilitate costume, set, and lighting changes onstage during the show. They Koken idea is something we borrowed from Kabucki theatre in Japan. The show features live songs as well as a killer recorded soundtrack."

Brooke Faulkner, a freshman theatre major who plays Paul Bunyan in the play, agrees that this show is entertaining. 

"The lighting is awesome, the set is awesome, the costumes are awesome. I think this will be the best play of the year," Faulkner said. 

Annie Reeves, the stage manager of the show, said she has similar feelings as Faulkner. 

"He [Hurley] has made great choices and I think that 'The Mad Dog Blues' could be the best show of our season," Reeves said. "The text is intriguing and witty, and the casting was superbly done." 

Reeves also said that the show is entertaining because it is similar to the acting seen on television. 

"The plot and the directing choices that John has made, lend itself to a TV show style of acting," Reeves said. "The actors deliver lines speedily while maintaining the objective of each line. It is very entertaining to watch."

Reeves said she enjoyed having a student director. 

"Having a student director has been less stressful than having a department director. John Hurley is a very intuitive director, and his directing choices have been great to work with," Reeves said. 

Taylor Roy, who plays Kosmo, a struggling rock star in the play, said having a student director created a learning experience for everyone. 

"It's been a different kind of experience working with a student director. Because this is the first major production that he's directed, you feel like he's learning just as much as the cast and crew," Roy said.

Roy said he feels honored to have a lead role in this production. 

"This is the largest role I've had with this department, and maybe ever. I enjoy the character of Kosmo. I identify with him a great deal," Roy said. 

Hurley encourages GC&SU students to attend the show.

"It only costs GC&SU students with valid ID one dollar. Come on guys, cheap date," Hurley said. "Basically I want everyone to take away something, a good time, a thought, a laugh, or at least some extra credit for one of their classes."

"Mad Dog Blues" will play in Russell Auditorium through April 16. For reservations and more information, contact the GC&SU Department of Music and Theater at (478) 445-4226.