OSU to Present Play by Former NEA Chairman; Noted Actor Stiers Joins Cast
The musical, “SPIN,” was
written by John Frohnmayer, former chairman of the
National Endowment for the Arts, and its depiction of controversy over
federally funded art and artists is no coincidence. Frohnmayer’s
tenure as chair of the NEA in the 1990s was marked by a “culture war” between
artists and supporters seeking complete freedom of expression and groups and
individuals who wanted to set stricter parameters on federally funded art.
Adding intrigue to the performances is the casting of
David Ogden Stiers in one of the key roles. A veteran
of stage and screen, Stiers also is known for his
portrayal of Major Winchester on the M*A*S*H* television series. He recently
portrayed the Rev. Gene Purdy on the television series, “The Dead Zone,” and
was the voice of Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast”
and Dr. Jumba Jookiba in “Lilo and Stitch.”
SPIN will open a six-night
run on May 8 at OSU’s Withycombe Hall Theater, located
at 30th and
“This play is going to get
as much attention as any play Oregon State University has produced in a long
time,” said its director, Marion O. Rossi Jr., shortly after speaking to the
Washington Post. “It is a pointedly satirical look at the nature of art and its
relationship to politics, and is rife with witty dialogue, a variety of song
styles, and characters that range from realistic to buffoonish.
“It is a great experience
for the students in our cast and crew,” he added, “and it should be tremendous
fun for the audience.”
SPIN revisits the political
and cultural maelstrom over federal funding for the arts. In the story,
arch-conservative politicians led by Sen. Fudder (Stiers) do battle with the NEA chair and staffers over
legislation. At the same time, left-wing liberals – known as Polly and the
artists – swap views and insults with the religious right (JoeBob
and friends).
Covering the story are
journalists who report what they call “facts,” but are thinly disguised
opinions representing their personal spin.
If it sounds tense, rest
assured, Rossi says cheerfully.
“’SPIN’ pokes fun at almost
everyone, on the right and left, in government, as well as in media and art,”
Rossi said. “There are no sacred cows. The takeaway message is captured
beautifully in the final scene – ‘Art can inform us – if it is left alone to
work its magic – and if we wait.’”
Frohnmayer said his experience as NEA chairman provided no
shortage of material.
“Sex, art and politics – nothing controversial
there,” he said. “Congress got more mail about the NEA than the savings and
loan scandal while I was there. That is why one lyric says: ‘being offended by
rear ends would give us press galore.’”
Stiers said he wanted to take part in the play because he
believes strongly in freedom of expression for the arts.
“As an extension of the
serious misperceptions about art, the nature of art itself and the profound
value of the creative spark, this play with music almost forces a conversation about the
wealth and diversity of art and artists in
“And then there is the real
treasure,” he added. “Art helps us think and feel more broadly, more
clearly…precisely by challenging us and urging us to give up the pat, the
prepackaged, the merely ‘pretty.’ The health of the
arts community, and of its collaborators – the public – goes to the very heart
of ‘promot(ion) of the
general welfare.’
“More fundamental, it can
scarcely get.”
Frohnmayer, who is an affiliate professor in OSU’s College of Liberal Arts, chose to present SPIN as a
musical and there are myriad styles presented in the play – from a rumba
(“Stifle All Your Urges”) and a fugue (“I’m Not Whole Unless I’m Being
Political”), to splashy production numbers (“Send Us Some Coin Sweet Jesus”)
and (“Artificial Art Official”).
“Why a musical?” Frohnmayer pondered.
“Almost every in my family is or was a musician. My mother played the piano
beautifully, had perfect pitch, taught music. My
sister and younger brother are both professional singers and college music
professors.
“I have sung all my life and played Billy Bigelow in
‘Carousel,’ Curly in ‘
Frohnmayer wrote the lyrics as well as the script; the music
was written by Sila Cevikce
Shaman, a
Playing the role of an
embattled NEA chair will be Gale Hazel, a veteran actress and vocalist who has
appeared in numerous community and OSU performances. Hazel, a former OSU
employee, lives in
Most of the rest of the
cast are OSU students, including Maarika Teose, as controversial artist Polly; Nickoli
Strommer, as conservative Rev. JoeBob
Pentateuch; Stuart Krug, as NEA staff lawyer Fred; Ryan Holcomb, as art expert
Dr. Primus; Abbe Groh, as “neurotheology”
expert Isabelle Snug; Steve McClain, as a liberal reporter; and Kimberly Holling, as a conservative reporter.
Sixteen other OSU students
comprise an ensemble of right-wing and left-wing adherents, government
staffers, artists, politicians and jurors.
Rossi is a veteran director
and faculty member with OSU’s theater arts program.
He is joined by Sean Mills, music director; George Caldwell, scene and lighting
design; Barbara Mason, costume design; and Elizabeth Atchley,
pianist. Atchley will join with five other musicians
to create a jazz combo for the performances.
Shows are scheduled for
7:30 p.m. May 8-10 and May 15-17. Tickets are priced at $14 for general
admission; $10 for seniors, and $7 for students. The performance on Friday, May
16, will be sign language-interpreted.
Tickets will be available
at the Withycombe Hall box office beginning May 5 (call 541-737-2784 for
information), and online starting April 21 (http://oregonstate.edu/dept/theatre/BoxOfficeInfo.html.)
By Mark Floyd, 541-737-0788
Source: Marion O. Rossi,
Jr., 541-737-4917