Loyola’s theater department shows students how to be “The Ladies Man”

Jamal Melancon

Loyola’s theatre department hopes audiences will enjoy the lighthearted bedroom farce and character charades from Paris’ past in the comedy “The Ladies Man”.

Taking place in Belle Époque Paris, the peaceful, progressive time period between the 1870s and the outbreak of World War I, Charles Morey’s “The Ladies Man” builds conflict and character through humorous miscommunication and confusion. Directed by outside director Janet Shea, The Ladies Man will run in the Marquette Theatre on Oct. 30 and Nov. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.

Evan Daigle, advertising junior who plays the male lead Dr. Molineaux, said the show is supposed to be a light hearted tail for everyone.

“The show is not meant to make you go home and have thought-provoking dreams,” Daigle said.

Daigle’s role as Dr. Molineaux will mark his first main stage show with Loyola and second time in a play after participating in the university’s spring Senior One Act Festival last semester.

Through Shea’s guidance, Sam Ravelo, sound designer and political science senior, said that he looks to “The Ladies Man” script for areas in which sound may augment the performance.

“The design aspect is me picking things that I think fit within a certain theme, a certain motif that I’d like to hit,” Ravelo said.

He exercises his creative control through the number of options that he provides to Shea, consisting of cheery, classical music and café tunes.

“That’s the kind of theme that we’re going for here, something a little jauntier and a little more fun, within the time period of course,” Ravelo said.

While Ronald Chavis, theater arts junior, normally prefers the role of an actor, he will be taking on the position of assistant director for the show. Chavis said while working with Shea, he sees the show going in a great direction.

“Janet’s direction and Janet’s interpretation is just immensely blowing my mind, and I think it’s going to be hugely entertaining,” Chavis said.