Shakespeare’s ‘Chaucer in Rome’ to take stage

Nancy Ball / contributing photographer "'Chaucer In Rome' begins Nov. 9 and runs through Nov. 13. Performers are at 8 p.m. in Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre. Seniors Zach Livingston and Meredith Holcomb, and sophomore Daniel David Crabtree all are cast members (above).

As Shakespeare once said, "All the world’s a stage," and the Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre proves to be the stage to bring the world to JMU.

"Chaucer in Rome," by Tony Award-Winning writer John Guare ("Two Gentlemen of Verona," "Six Degrees of Separation") is a thoughtful and historically inspired piece about "devout artists and pilgrims, each on missions."

Guare was inspired to write this particular play when he accompanied his wife to Rome in 1998.

There, he witnessed the anticipation of the effects of pilgrims invading the city for the Holy Year 2000.

In the play, Guare examines "the underbelly of human behavior: Compromised values and aspirations, the corrupting, corrosive forces which we encounter and negotiate, and the price we pay for feeding our appetites and bowing to our impulses," according to school of theatre and dance publicist Elizabeth Simmons.

Such bold satirical analysis is a signature of Guare.

Guare’s quote on Chaucer’s program said, "The minute art becomes personal, there’s always going to be betrayal involved."

Guare considered Chaucer to be "nourishment" for his audience, according to notes by director Pam Johnson.

Not only are the character under analysis, but the audience also is involved as well as the play’s intricate plot unravels.

"Each of Guare’s figures can earn our understanding as well as our condemnation, and the raucous laughter which they can generate, both relieves and incriminates an audience," Johnson wrote.

Chaucer in Rome will show at the Latimer-Shaeffer Theater in Duke Hall from Tuesday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 13.

Shows will start at 8 p.m.

To order tickets, call the JMU Masterpiece Season box office at 540-568-7000 or 877-201-7543.