A different kind of “tusk” will take the stage beginning Thursday in the Young Theatre. The Cal State Fullerton drama department’s production of “Rhinoceros” opens to the public March 19.
The play, written in 1959, is considered one of the most iconic plays of the absurdist genre by Eugène Ionesco. The play was written during the Nazi infiltration of France and is a metaphor of what the path toward facism looks like.
“We chose this over a year ago and every time I’ve read it since then, it’s resonated more and more because of the events that are happening in Washington right now and around the world, quite frankly,” said Mark Ramont, the director of “Rhinoceros.” “It’s a little bit terrifying this way, but I think on some level I want them to see themselves, to see our society up here and what’s happening to our system.”
The metaphor of facism takes the form of a rhinoceros, as the characters start to slowly morph into these creatures throughout the course of the play, until there is only one man left standing: Berenger, played by Gabriel Hernandez.
The process of putting on this production began with Ramont putting forward three play selections to an election committee. Of the three, “Rhinoceros” was selected as something that would be challenging, timely and fitting for the third and fourth-year actors in the BFA acting program.
“It’s been one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever had to dive into due to the fact that there’s so much behind it,” said Leo Van Bindsbergen, a third-year BFA acting major, who plays Jean in the production. “This role has been a great opportunity for me because it’s so physical, it’s so intense, it’s so daunting. I feel like it’s a privilege to be involved with something so current.”
This play works with very large components such as the rhinoceros costume and the special effects that follow. To account for the enormity of the production, the drama department was granted a budget larger than has ever been allocated before.
“I don’t want to spoil it for people but the special effects, I think there’s a lot of investment into making this,” said Jack Hammerstrom, a third-year BFA acting major who plays the logician. “Even though it’s really crazy, it’s still believable.”
Michael Polak, the stunt coordinator for the play worked with Van Bindsbergen to physically mold him into the rhinoceros with the help of costume design by Dianne Graebner and makeup and hair by Kieran Tierney.
Voice altering and special effects by sound designer Hunter Moody and stage manager Jamie Tucker are included in the production to aid in the complete imagery of the rhinoceros.
“My definition of stage management is to uphold the artistic integrity of the show and that is the director’s vision,” Tucker said. “Mark has a vision of the show and it’s in light, sound, costumes, movement, whatever. That is my job to make sure that it’s executed exactly the same way he envisioned that every performance.”
While the three-hour play carries a deep and existential message, there are still comedic elements to it to make it worthwhile. Seeing the play on stage is inherently different from if it were to be read.
This is Ramont’s last production with CSUF after teaching and directing at the university for the past 15 years. He states that the less the audience comes in knowing about the story, the better.
Showings of the performance begin Thursday, March 19 and will continue to run until March 28 in the Young Theater.