Cole Winslow stars in Sac State’s Compleat Female Stage Beauty.(Photo: Damitrias Mendoza)
He is the most beautiful woman ever to take the stage. And then she comes along.
In 1661 London, women are prohibited from performing in the theater, and actor Edward Kynaston has a fabulous life playing female roles. But when the king makes it legal for women to appear on stage, things drastically change for Edward.
Jeffrey Hatcher’s Compleat Female Stage Beauty, directed by Professor Michelle Felten, will be presented at Playwrights’ Theatre at Sacramento State, 6000 J St., at 8 p.m. Nov. 12-14 and 20-21; 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18-19; and 2 p.m. Nov. 15 and 22.
In the play, as women start taking the stage in Restoration England, Edward loses his livelihood, his lover, and his sense of self overnight. But fate and a desire for revenge give him a chance to take the stage again.
“This story of passion, jealousy, and gender identity is at times both funny and heartbreaking,” Felten says.
She faced many challenges in staging this production. “There are elaborate period costumes and wigs for both men and women, working on a ‘raked’ stage, and directing actors to act not only believably, but also badly, as the women develop their skills as the first real actresses,” Felten says. “It makes for some very entertaining and humorous moments.”
Senior Cole Winslow portrays Edward Kynaston.
“He is one of the last male actors to play female parts in England,” Winslow says. “He’s very vain, very high-maintenance, and very self-involved. He’s probably one of the most likable and unlikable characters I’ve ever experienced.”
Winslow conducted a lot of research to prepare for the role, and says one of the biggest challenges was the physicality of the character. “I’m naturally not too graceful, and Kynaston is very graceful. I’m learning how to try to be beautiful all the time with movement, and presentation and posture.”
The play works on many levels and will appeal to a wide variety of tastes, Felten says. “The beauty of Compleat Female Stage Beauty is that it is just as much a comedy as it is an elegant period drama,” she says.
Compleat Female Stage Beauty is rated PG-13/Mature Audiences for strong language and sexual situations.
Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. performances are $8 general. All other performances are $12 general, $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the University Ticket Office, (916) 278-4323 or www.csus.edu/hornettickets.
For more information, visit the Theatre and Dance Department at www.csus.edu/dram or call (916) 278-6368. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156. – Craig Koscho