The Mandrake at FUSION Theatre

THE MANDRAKE

by Niccolò Machiavelli

translated by
Wallace Shawn

April 15 - May 2, 2010

Thurs. & Fri. 8:00 pm
Sat. 2 pm and 8 pm
Sun. 6 pm

it is a double pleasure to
deceive the deceiver

If Machiavelli rather than The Village Voice had inspired Ayckbourn’s Fiona and Teresa, they may have ended up in Wallace Shawn’s rollicking, bawdy, and hilarious adaptation of The Mandrake. Originally commissioned by Joseph Papp for The New York Shakespeare Festival, Wallace’s play brings Niccolo Machiavelli’s classical Italian comedy about love, cuckoldry, and money into the English language with terrific idiosyncratic humor and witty turns of phrase. The title comes from the old wives' tale that a woman who drinks a potion made from the mandrake root is certain to conceive a child, the only drawback being that the man with whom she first has sex after taking the potion will die within eight days.

The Mandrake also proved to be a launching pad for Mr. Shawn’s prolific film acting career. While performing in the Public Theatre production, he was spotted by Woody Allen’s casting director and the rest is history. Mr. Shawn is well known for his work in such films as Manhattan, My Dinner with Andre, The Princess Bride, and Uncle Vanya on 42nd Street. His newest play Grasses of a Thousand Colours, directed by Andre Gregory, premiered last June at the Royal Court Theatre and received rave reviews from the British Press as well as critics across the pond. Mr. Shawn received OBIE awards for his plays Our Late Night and The Fever. Adult themes, content and language.

Jacqueline Reid directs a cast of ten in FUSION’s Southwest premiere of The Mandrake. “…a well nigh perfect play…it is merry and will make you merry.” – The New Yorker.

The Mandrake continues through May 2nd with Thursday and Friday performances at 8:00 p.m., two performances on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 6:00 p.m. For tickets and information call 766-9412 or click here:

Single tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for students and seniors. Thursday performances (excluding opening night) feature a $10.00 student rush (with valid I.D.) and $20 actor rush (with professional resume.) The first Sunday 9/13 is a pay-what-you-wish performance. Group discounts are also available. Substantial discounts are available when you purchase a

Free parking is plentiful in our lot just north of the theatre. The Cell is located at 700 1st St. N.W., just west of Broadway and south of Lomas.

Elyse Sommer, review, Curtain Up Reviews:
"There's a reason The Mandrake has proved to be a happier legacy for its author than his political theories. Beneath the hairbrained scheme, the double entendres and the raunchy physical comedy this is a play with a theme not too dissimilar from Machiavelli's political theory that it often takes ethical compromise to survive in a corrupt world. Thus his characters are all easily persuaded to lie and deceive, or close their eyes to being deceived, in order to improve their lives. In short, The Mandrake puts a comic spin on the maxim, "the end justifies the means", which had its origins way before it became associated with Machiavelli. "

Scott Collins, review, Los Angeles Times:
"...Machiavelli, a true Renaissance man, was also a gifted playwright. In his 1518 farce The Mandrake, he cast his jaundiced eye toward the art of seduction and what did he find? Why, lies, manipulation and other dirty tricks....[Shawn's] text is very modern and colloquial...."

You bet! I'd like to be reminded of coming events!

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