As the echoes of stage construction subside, the cast forms a huddle and starts to bounce, chanting "Bal-con-y! Bal-con-y!" (as an appeal "to the `balcony gods' that we would fill all the seats," Sian-Pierre Regis '06 later explained). One by one, with building intensity, each member breaks off, and continues to pogo, still chanting. The students are revved up to perform Machinal, based on the true story of Ruth Snyder and the events that led to her execution in 1928.

The play's urban environment amplifies the machine-like qualities of "successful" human beings. Often tempo and pace are marked by rhythmic repetitions in dialogue or sound, such as typewriters. Helen, the main character, struggles to conform to society's expectations of women and ultimately lashes out by killing her husband.

"For students, there's a lot there to think about, and the play draws on studies in and out of the theater department in interesting ways," said director Sarah Bay-Cheng, assistant professor of English and theater. She noted that University Theater's production of Machinal fit well with several fall academic classes, including one Core course she taught, The Challenge of Modernity.

For more, visit Colgate In the News Archives (Oct. 20) at www.colgate.edu.