Fever/Dream

Fever Dream is Sheila Callaghan's take on Pedro Calderón de la Barca's play Life is a Dream. This play, by the University Players, is directed by Alexandra Billings and was shown at our very own University Theatre from October 4th to 12th.

California Repertory Company and the CSULB Theatre Arts Department asked me to refrain from writing a review so I will simply give a summary and some feelings I had when watching this play.

When I walked into the theater I automatically knew the play was going to be something totally different then what I was used to. Segis Basil, the main Character, was chained to his desk in what seemed like a basement while the whole crowd was walking in. I have never seen a character on stage before the play actually started.

I give recognition on how difficult that is, but it added to the tone of the play.

It began with the same scene as I walked in,except now I understood that he was a customer service representative. His work environment is truly unethical. He is literally chained into his desk, but it is a office but it seems like a jail.

He is chained into his desk simply because of bad luck. He was born on Black Monday and his mother died while in labor, his father, Bill Basil the CEO of the American mega-corporation named Basil Enterprises, resents him for that.

He resented him for so long, but now that he is reaching old age he feels guilty. He comes up with a strange proposal that makes him CEO for a day. He is also going to retire soon because While all this was going on a bike messenger named Rose and a temp Claire try to take down the company, they got jobs at the office because they found Segis chained to his desk.

Rose, like Stella Strong the beautiful vice president, have their own side stories that make the play a bit complicated but enjoyable to watch.

Segis makes a mess of the whole company is put back in his basment, and is told it was all a dream.

I inferred that the message the play gives is that big businesses dehumanize people.

You can watch it on your own to see how it ends, but know it wraps up really nicely.

"The entire creative process of stage managing Fever/Dream was one of the best experiences in my life, and I was glad to be at the helm of it all. When everybody (director, cast, crew, designers, etc.) puts their own entire being into a project, such as Fever/Dream, it makes all the hard work, sleepless nights, and stressful issues worth it." explained stage manager senior Kyle Gladfelter, Theatre Arts major.

The play stars The University Players, you can see their upcoming shows by clicking the link below.

http://www.csulb.edu/depts/theatre/category/shows/university-players

Clair is played by Lottie Frick
Rose is played by Ashley Bravo
Segis Basil  is played by Cassidy Lemon
Fred is played by Andrew Puente
Bill Basil is played by Richard Rodriguez
Aston is played by Bradley Roa II
Stella Strong is played by Rachel Zink
And the accountants, associates, and security guards are played by the following:
Jesse Gaupel
Suzannah Gratz
Emily Thorp
Ian James
Danny Hargreaves
Montana Bull
Sam Kim

Scenic Design: Sojin Han
Costume Design: Megan Knowles
Lighting Design: Jennifer Salmeron
Sound Design: Jessica Westerfield
Props Coordinator: Elizabeth Smith

Stage Managed by: Kyle Gladfelter