Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky’s comedy about
social advancement, “The Diary of a Scoundrel,” opens
tonight in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre.

The play, penned in the late 1800’s, follows protagonist
Yegor Gloumov’s rise in the Moscow social scene as he
sweet-talks and schemes his way to the top.

The play is being presented by the OU School of Drama.

“He’s a man who will stop at nothing to acquire
money,” theater senior Matt Davis, who plays Gloumov said.
“It’s almost a satire of the upper crust.”

The play revolves around Gloumov’s desire for upward
mobility, said Brian Barnes, theater junior..

“The main character is sort of an anti-hero in that he
plays on everyone’s desires,” Barnes said.
“He’s essentially brown-nosing his way to the top of
Moscow society, and the only way he’s truthful is with his
diary, where it finally comes out in the end.”

Barnes plays the role of Gloumov’s “uncle,”
Mamaev.

Mamaev provides the initial link to society that Gloumov needs
to start his ascent, he said.

“He really doesn’t do much except walk around and
tell people what to do. He likes to lecture people on how to act
and lead their lives,” Barnes said.

Larger than life characters such as Mamaev are only part of the
play’s appeal. Stage manager Hillary North, theater
management sophomore, said everything about the production was to
be slightly skewed.

“The general design concept was to make the scenery
abstract, the props realistic and the costumes very period,”
North said.

“Diary of a Scoundrel” is done in the round, with
the audience sitting around the stage, North said.

The stage and it’s scenery were designed so minimal set
changing would be required, so to keep the over-the-top effect, the
stage itself was designed on a slant where one side of the platform
is higher than the other.

The period costumes and the stage’s design have worked
well for the actors in the play, Davis said.

“The costumes help bring out the quirks in the
characters,” Davis said. He also said the stage’s slant
has worked well for the drunken characters in the play.

The play came together when it replaced “The Country
Holiday” over Christmas break, North said.

Cast members from the play were re-cast into “Diary of a
Scoundrel” with the addition of two more actors and
rehearsals commenced Jan. 12, she said.

Despite the time crunch, cast members and the crew came together
and are expecting a strong opening tonight.

“This is a really hardy show,” North said.
“They’ve really stepped up to the plate on this
one.”

“Diary of a Scoundrel” runs at 8 p.m. Feb. 12-14 and
19-21 with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Feb. 15 and 22 in the
Weitzenhoffer Theatre in the Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for faculty, staff and
seniors, and $17 for adults.

For tickets call 325-4041.
hello there & you too