Courtesy
First performance of the 2014 academic year offers comedy, blackmail and wit.
By Dorothy P. Braziel
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
The San Antonio College Department of Fine Arts this week presents “Bach at Leipzig,” a comedy written by Itamar Moses and directed by Ronald Watson.
The play takes place in 1722 Leipzig, Germany, and tells the story of finding a replacement for famed organist Johann Kuhnau, who dies suddenly in the middle of a frenzied fugue.
His death leaves little time for the city council to mourn or fill his post. The council is now tasked with finding his replacement from seven qualified but quirky musicians.
“It’s a mix of ‘American Idol’ and ‘Survivor,’ German style,” Watson wrote in a prepared statement.
Auditions were held the first week of fall classes. The production features an ensemble cast of sophomore students. Zachary Ramon is cast as The Greatest Organist in Germany, Esaus G. Perez as Johann Christoph Graupner, Nathan Mesa as Georg Friedrich Kaufman, Weston Billiat II as Johann Martin Steindorff, Mason Anthony Ortiz as George Lenck, Andy Silva as George Balthasar Schott and Eric Alvarado as Johann Friedrich Fasch.
Paula Rodriguez, theater program coordinator, said the set features “amazing technical design” with the set designers building the complete front of a cathedral and early 18th-century costumes “completely made by students.”
The play is at 7:30 p.m. Oct 9, Oct. 10-11 and Oct. 16-18 in the theater of McCreless Hall. Matinee performances are at 2:30 p.m. Oct 12 and 19.
Tickets are $5 for Alamo College students and staff; $8 for senior citizens, military and other students; and $10 for general admission.
For information, call 486-0255.
