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    GCAC Presents: Shipwrecked – a fantasy or a reality?

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    Is Shipwrecked! An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) fantasy or reality? You be the judge

    As CATCO begins rehearsals for its upcoming show, Shipwrecked! An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself), the theatre organization has a word of advice – don’t be fooled by the long title. The same advice, however, does not apply to Louis de Rougemont.

    Allowing yourself to be beguiled by this real-life, Victorian-era charlatan is part of the fun of this play written by Donald Marguiles, playwright and professor of English and theatre studies at Yale University and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2000 for his play, Dinner With Friends.

    Eschewing labels of comedy or drama, CATCO Producing Director Steven C. Anderson used “adventure” to describe the play, which includes “elements of humor.” As it to further emphasize his point, Shipwrecked! even includes “an entertainment” as part of the title.

    Based on a real character in Victorian England, the period in which the play is set, Shipwrecked! tells the story of de Rougemont, who was out to impress and make a name for himself. That he did, captivating 19th century England into believing stories of his outlandish adventures in the Pacific. They buy into his fantasies and ultimately the former footman, doctor, inventor, etc., takes on a life of his own.

    “Shipwrecked! is the type of theatre that I am most attracted to, where a playwright starts with nothing and creates something magical. What I found most amazing about this play is that you are totally drawn into his story, his fantasy, just like the 19th Century English citizens,” Anderson said.

    Once holes are shot in his stories – a man-eating octopus, really? – beloved followers feel a sense of betrayal and embarrassment. “It’s hard to break with the fantasy, which de Rougemont has made so real for everyone,” Anderson said.

    Anderson encourages history and literature lovers to see the show, as well as those who like puzzles. He also calls Shipwrecked! a perfect introduction to professional theatre for “tweens” because of its accessibility and great storytelling. Theatregoers who saw CATCO’s holiday production of a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol also will enjoy the play, which was also set in Victorian England and is performed in chapters, Anderson said.

    The New York Times calls Shipwrecked! “good, old-fashioned yarn spinning.” Says Theatermania, “a poignant embrace of our need to imagine.”

    Shipwrecked! will be presented by CATCO Feb. 5-23, 2014, at the Vern Riffe Center, Studio Two Theatre, 77 S. High St., Wednesday through Sundays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. or 8 p.m. Tickets are $41 Sundays and Thursdays and $45 Fridays and Saturdays. Wednesday $11@11 matinees are $11.50. The Thursday, Feb. 6, preview price is $36.50. For more details, visit CATCOistheatre.org or contact the box office at 614.469.0939.

    Is de Rougemont, born Henri Louis Grin, crazy, a scam artist, wanna-be star, all of the above? See Shipwrecked! and find out for yourself.

    GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.

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    Sarah Bacha
    Sarah Bacha
    Sarah Mills Bacha is CATCO’s press representative and arts lover. Before launching her own firm, she worked as a journalist at daily newspapers.
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