Tea and Sympathy
7:30 p.m., Nov. 9
8 p.m., Nov. 10
8 p.m., Nov. 18
2 p.m., Nov. 19
The Children's Hour
8 p.m., Nov. 11
2 p.m., Nov. 12
7:30 p.m., Nov. 16
8 p.m., Nov. 17
Where: Wharton Center, MSU
Online: http://www.whartoncenter.com
Phone: (800) 942-7866
Queer favorite "Brokeback Mountain" inspired Rob Roznowski to direct two mid-1900s gay-themed productions at the Wharton Center this month. But it wasn't because of Ennis and Jack's closeted relationship in last year's sleeper hit flick.
"What speaks to me about this movie (is) the idea of what happens if somebody lives a life without telling the truth or what they really feel," Roznowski said. "Like 'Brokeback Mountain' they kind of transcend that issue (of being gay) to a much larger human issue of living a life of lies."
Despite the characters' gender, both productions, "Tea and Sympthy" and "The Children's Hour," criss-cross in their theme and setting.
"They follow a similar structure," said Roznowski of the three-act shows. " … They're exposing the truth which has been hidden: that both of these characters are homosexual."
The 1934-penned production "The Children's Hour" features Karen and Martha, two single women running a boarding school for girls. A problem student spreads a rumor about the two and destroys their lives.
Michigan State University student Matt Kaufmann, 19, plays Tom Lee in "Tea and Sympathy," written in 1954. In the production, Kaufmann plays a naive young adult who develops an unfamiliar relationship with another male – his teacher. People at the all boys prep school accuse him of being gay.
"He's still trying to discover himself," Kaufmann said. "He doesn't understand why he gets bullied the way he does (and) why people don't respect him for liking theater and music."
Since Kaufmann is completely the opposite of Tom it's been a challenge for him to "act stupid."
"He (Tom) is not afraid to express his emotions, to play the women's part in the plays, or to be heard singing," Kaufmann said. "Even though he's made fun of it, he doesn't stop doing it. (He can relate) to other gay teenagers by showing that you don't have to conform to society's 'normal.' You can pursue what you want."
Roznowski noted the downplayed Hollywood scene where students witness Tom swimming naked down at the lake with his male teacher. "They couldn't show that in the movie version of 'Tea and Sympathy,' so they (the students) find the guy sewing a button on and everybody's like, 'He's gay!' It's just ridiculous how Hollywood shied away from these issues and how theater could address them kind of head on."
Both productions were progressive for their time, Roznowski said. "The plays are still so relevant with McGreevy … and people still being outed."
