'Elephant Man' opens Nov. 1

MARSHFIELD – “The Elephant Man,” a Campus Community Players production, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3, 8-10 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 4, in the Black Box Theatre, UW-Marshfield/Wood County.

“The Elephant Man” is a theatrical retelling of the semi-biographical account of John Merrick, set in London, said Steve Decker, assistant professor of theatre and communication arts and director of Campus Community Players.  Dubbed the “Elephant Man” by a circus freak show due to severe physical deformities, Merrick is rescued by a kind doctor. Eventually, he is able to successfully integrate into Victorian society.

Nicole Feiten, Colby, is playing the multiple roles including Nurse Sandwich, Pinhead #1 and the Countess. Feiten is a first-year student at UW-M/WC.  She played a salesperson and a Rueters Reporter in CCP’s April production of “Inherit the Wind.”

“Nurse Sandwich is kind of self absorbed and thinks she can handle anything, until she sees the wretched site of the Elephant Man,” Feiten said. “My character as Pinhead #1 is basically a circus freak who performs in circus shows with the Elephant Man.  The pinhead has the mind capacity of a 2-year-old and is not treated well.

“The Countess has a small part, but she graces the Elephant Man with gifts for Christmas. She has never met him before but may think her gifts will give her good publicity.”

Jordan Simm, Marshfield, is playing Ross, the man who exploited John Merrick, “The Elephant Man.” It is Simm’s first time on the CCP stage.  He is a first-year student at UW-M/WC.

“Ross has used Merrick for his own personal gain, and then, when no money is made, he dumps Merrick, leaving him on his own to try and survive,” Simm said. “I like the fact that my character is so energetic and does whatever he can just to make a buck. He uses humor, fear and emotions to get an audience in to see Merrick. He is very fun to play, but also very tricky.”

Tickets for “Elephant Man” are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.  The Campus Box Office is open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performances.  To order tickets, call 389-6534.  VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.

The Campus-Community Players presents a wide variety of productions, including classical work, new plays, musicals, and sometimes, family oriented work. As a college theatre program, which also relies on members of the community in its productions, the primary goal of the program is the education of students. Many students have gone on to professional careers in acting, directing, playwriting, theatre education and theatrical production. This aim of teaching and learning requires a variety of theatrical genres, periods and styles which reflect the current contemporary theatre landscape. There are many opportunities to get involved both onstage and off. New faces are always welcome. Contact Steve Decker, assistant professor of Communication and Theatre Arts at; steven.decker@uwc.edu for more information.

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