“Le Chat Noir”

By: Aiyana Moore ~Staff Writer~ “Le Chat Noir,” 19th Century Paris’ first cabaret house, is making a comeback this February with Xavier Players’ own version of the show. “We called it ‘Le Chat Noir’ because it was, in France, a coffee house,” the musical director, Laura DeBrunner, said. “We’re doing something like that: sophisticated, but also simple.” The Xavier Players’ version of “Le Chat Noir” will feature the coffee house feel of the original show with performances by the Players cast, food and even a little karaoke. “It’s really just a chance for musical theater lovers to come together and enjoy each other’s company and eat some snacks,” Ellen Godbey, the show’s producer, said in an email. “Le Chat … Continue reading “Le Chat Noir”

“God of Carnage”

By: Grant Vance ~Staff Writer~ The weekend of Nov. 14-16 marked the three-day run of Xavier Player’s darkly-comedic performance of Yazmina Reza’s “God of Carnage.” The success of “God of Carnage” was grounded in its simplicity and expert use of timing. The high tension and humanistic exposé were complimented by the performer’s ability to deliver sharp lines of dialogue, creating characters despicably antagonizing in their individual respects. The audience couldn’t help but fall in love with hating them. The show’s humor was itsheart, cushioning the impact of the high tension often found in the couples’ extended arguments. Subtle in its … Continue reading “God of Carnage”

Toolbox triumphs with its first of multiple shows

By: Liz Slocum ~Staff Writer~ Xavier Players’ 2014-15 Toolbox cast kicked off the month of November with free comedy performances on Nov. 1 and 2. The hour-long improvised comedy show had its audience of students and alumni laughing both at and with the cast. From the cast’s creation of skits using buzzwords given by the audience to their free-frame style changing of characters and scenes, this performance, like other improv comedy shows, was a surprise for both the audience and the cast, who at times could not contain their own laughter. Given that the entire show is made up on … Continue reading Toolbox triumphs with its first of multiple shows