Marshall thespians weren't 'Born Yesterday'

"Born Yesterday" was performed Wednesday and Thursday at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. 

"Born Yesterday" was written by Garson Kanin and is set in Washington, D.C. in 1946.

"This is about a young woman, a blonde chorus girl, who is a kind of a thug's live-in girlfriend," said Julie Jackson, theatre department chairwoman. "Everyone thinks she's stupid but she's not, she is very bright. He tries to get her some education, some culture, as he says, and he gets more than he paid for. She stands up to him and exposes his corruption. So it's about a young woman finding her voice through education."

The cast of "Born Yesterday" consists of theatre students, who were cast for the parts at the beginning of the semester.

   "They audition for the play at the beginning of the semester, and they started rehearsing it that very first week," Jackson said. "And mostly, they rehearse it every night of the week. Every now and then, they have a day off."

There were minor technical difficulties with lighting before the production began Thursday. The time was filled by a repertoire with Gene Anthony, director and associate professor in the theatre department.

Anthony dedicated the play to Elaine Novak, who dedicated 37 years of her life to the arts for both Marshall University and the Huntington Community before she recently passed away, according to the "Born Yesterday" program.

Anthony announced he would be retiring after the play. According to the program, Anthony has directed about 30 productions for the Marshall University Theatre Department.

Students said they really enjoyed the role of Billie Dawn, played by Chelsea Sanders.

"I found it entertaining and enjoyable," said Hannah Snedegar, freshman psychology major from St. Albans, W.Va. "My favorite character was Billie Dawn. She was very entertaining throughout the whole thing."

"I really liked Billie. I thought she was funny," said Ana Wilker, freshman education major from Columbus, Ohio. "I also really liked how they played up the difference between stupidity and intelligence."

"It's got a good heart to it. It's very funny and we hope students enjoy it," Jackson said.

"Born Yesterday" will also be performed on Friday and Saturday evening at 8 p.m.

 Tickets are available at the box office. The performance is free to students.

Samantha Linthicum can be contacted at linthicum2@marshall.edu.