By Alyssa DeLio
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – For the first time in Camden County College’s history, an Actors’ Equity Association Guest Artist appeared in a campus production.
“The School for Wives” featured professional actor Stephen Bonnell, a veteran of Second City, off-Broadway productions and “The Guiding Light” television soap opera. The play was held in The Little Theatre inside Lincoln Hall from Dec. 2 to 10 at 8 p.m., 3 p.m. on Dec. 4. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for children, senior citizens, and CCC students and faculty with a valid college ID.
Bonnell worked with students in the campus production, something he seemed to enjoy, considering all of the hugs and smiles after the show was completed.
“The School for Wives” is a theatrical comedy written by the 17th century French playwright Molière. The play was first staged at the Palais Royal theatre on Dec. 26, 1662 for the brother of the King.
In the play, Monsieur Arnolph distrusts women, but he wants to marry, despite his fear of being cheated on. To ensure that he will have a happy marriage, he finds Agnes, a 4-year-old girl, setting out to mold her into a perfect wife. Once Agnes reaches marrying age, Arnolph moves her to Paris, intending to marry at once. Agnes goes along with this, but while in Paris falls in love with another man, Horace. Horace chooses Arnolph as his right-hand man, unaware of Arnolph’s plans with Agnes.
“The School for Wives” was a mixture of wisdom and comedy, lasting a few hours. Bianca Salurso, sophomore at Camden County College, said, “I never thought I would enjoy a play set in older times this much, I would come see it again.” Nick Rossano, junior at Philadelphia University, stated, “I liked the play very much, and it’s so cool they had a professional actor actually perform here. The only thing that sucked was that you needed a CCC college ID to get a cheaper ticket.”
The audience, as a whole, seemed to enjoy the show just as much as the actors enjoyed performing in it.