'”A
Comedy Tonight” the introductory song presented at the curtain
opening, was just that – comedy.
Based on the book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, guest director
Elizabeth Gaidry presented a worthy play that contained the elements
of the typical Roman theatre: a prologue, theatrical convention with
the audience, and stereotypical characters such as the following:
the cunning, sly servant, the dirty old man, the braggart, and the
dominating wife.
The main character, Pseudolus, played by Keith Townsend, was an ambitious
servant that tried to buy his freedom by getting a virgin courtesan
for his love-struck master, Hero. Along the storyline, there are a
lot of mistaken identities that makes this play an entertaining farce.
The music featured in this play is described by Armin Harrison, the
director of the EPCC musical program as ‘upbeat and energetic,
with a modern show-tunes trait.’
Also prevalent in Roman style comedy is its bawdiness. References
to adult related matter were presented in this play, but in a discrete
manner. 
Gloria Hernandez, mother of three children said, “There’s
a lot of lewd material in the media nowadays. This play presented
nothing offensive, but just good old comedy. My kids enjoyed it.”
Townsend said, “There’s a fine line between bawdy and
dirty plays. Liz [the director] did this well and allowed audiences
of all ages to have felt comfortable and at ease.”
Townsend is a former acting student of guest director, Elizabeth Gaidry.
He referred to her as “the matron of theatre in El Paso, Texas.”
He stated that she was able to “pull this off within 15 rehearsals,
when the usual amount for a play is 30.” When asked if she encountered
any obstacles in this production, Elizabeth Gaidry replied, “About
20 million, and only half was resolved.” An active member of
the theatre since the 1960s, Elizabeth Gaidry enjoys directing other
genres as well as musical comedies and regards Tennessee Williams
as one of her favorite playwrights. Her motto is “make it happen”
and she looks for devotion and commitment in her actors. When asked
why people should come to see this play, she responded, “It’s
comedy and comedy offers a free reprieve of the world’s problems.”
This college production was a community play which involved all members
of society. High school and university students as well as teachers
participated. Fernando Arana, a teacher at Burges High School, was
the stage manager and involved in the mass auditions held at many
local high schools.
One of the actors, Jimmy Hendrix, a senior at Chapin High, played
one of the Proteans and said he loves “the challenging aspect
of theatre acting, because it’s live.” He said he felt
anxious before the play’s commencement, but relieved once the
show ended. Another high school senior, Adam Gardea of Del Valle High,
was easily able to connect with his fidgety and nervous character
Hysterium although he entered the play late by filling in for someone.
Michael Monroe, a marketing student at UTEP, described himself as
the total opposite of his character, Senex. To be able to play his
role well, Monroe watched movies that had the stereotypical ‘dirty
old man.’ The protagonist played by associate professor Keith
Townsend, who is also director of EPCC’s Forensic’s program,
director of theatre and set designer of this play, stated that he
immediately related to his character. “Like Pseudolus, I’m
always scheming and trying to find a solution for everything,”
he said.
Before the show began a few members of the audience stated their expectations.
Alexis Pena, EPCC student said, “I came to see the play with
a critical eye, noting flaws in anything.” After the show, she
said she hadn’t found any.
Rico Prada, an international dance instructor and member of the Ice
Capades for 17 years, said, “It’s almost professional
level and it’s excellent presentation.” When asked what
the funniest thing was that happened in this play, Sandra Williams,
a retired teacher, gleefully responded, “Everything!”
