Oklahoma City University’s School of Theatre wrapped up their 2021-2022 mainstage season with “School for Lies” by David Ives. The show, directed by school of theatre Head of Performance D. Lance Marsh, played in the Burg Theatre on March 31- April 3.
“School for Lies” brings you back to 17th century Paris- a period recognized by the reign of King Louis XIV and the beautiful palace of Versailles. Not only does the show bring you back to the olden days, but the show’s origins trace back to that time period as well. Ives’ “School for Lies” is an adaptation of French playwright Molière’s “Le Misanthrope.” Taking place in aristocratic France, “Le Misanthrope” is a satirical drama that criticizes the flaws of high-end society and their impact on human nature.
“School for Lies” takes a little bit of a different approach.
The show follows witty French salon, Celimene, as she is being sued for her satirical stories and rumors about the people in her community. Intertwined with this, we have the story of Frank, a misanthropic man returning to Paris with the intention of calling out high-power French elites for their hypocrisy and lies. Frank, our honesty-craving protagonist, and Celimene, the satirical-wordsmith, eventually fall in love…but not without any trouble. During Frank’s crusade to address the power-problems in France, Philinte, Frank’s friend, decides to have a little fun. Philinte tells lies to both Frank and Celimene, sending the rest of the show into a crazy spiral of love-triangles and desperation.
“School for Lies” is an interesting combination of 17th century storytelling and modern rom-com humor. David Ives blended the old with the new, adding in new slang and cultural references to the iambic pentameter couplets from “Le Misanthrope.” It was a different change of pace from the other mainstage shows in this year’s season, with “School for Lies” following the production of “Marisol.”
The creative team for OCU’s production included scenic designer Carlee Robertson, costume designer Susie J. Williams, lighting designers Aaron Mooney and Halcyon Piper, sound designer Jacob Henry, and props supervisor Katelyn Walp, among others.
Senior BFA Acting major Elizabeth Gibson stirred up the drama as Arsinoe, one of Celimene’s closest friends. Elizabeth said that her favorite part of working on “School for Lies” was the rehearsal process.
“The environment in the rehearsal process was one unlike any other. It didn’t even feel like rehearsal sometimes because every rehearsal was filled with so much laughter and joy,” Gibson said.
She also shared that she loved working with the cast, crew, and the director, Lance.
“If I could do that show over again, I would, not because I would change anything, but because of how much fun I had creating “School for Lies” with such an amazing group of people,” Gibson said.
Leave a Reply