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A FIRST AMENDMENT PUBLICATION
Volume 125 - Issue 7
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
One copy free, each additional copy $1.00
Hot and heavy under the collar A safer
Moliere's sardonic comedy breaks down boundaries and the fourth wall VICTOR RODRIGUEZ Managing Editor @Vrodriguez2100
T
he weight of the cross, familial expectations, and a family’s desperate attempt to enlighten their pollyanna patriarch are the building blocks Molière left back in 1664. Shaheen Vaaz, the director, has crafted a winning recipe with a dynamic cast, witty intellectual dialogue, and a live musical performance, for her interpretation of “Tartuffe.” The content of the script is what makes this play timeless. These themes of religion, hypocrisy, foolishness, morality and ethics are all universal and do not need the assistance of fashion from the 1960s to be relatable. Vaaz had a novel idea, changing the time period, but lacked follow through. I believe it was an all-ornothing decision, either completely transform into a 1960s production or do not, and she tried to choose both. The costumes themselves are very aesthetically pleasing, but they did nothing to enhance anyone’s understanding of the play. The play opens with an upset Madame Pernelle (Avita Broukhim) rushing out of her son Orgon’s (Brian Felker) home, all the while berating her son’s second wife, Elmire (Leah Foster) and her brother, Cleante (Ben Landmesser), as well as Orgon’s two children, Damis (Gregory Hanson), and Mariane (Michelle Johnson) for their treatment of the titular character Tartuffe (Amir Khalighi). Orgon has been away on business for two days. Upon returning, he summons Dorine (Meagan Truxal), Mariane’s maid, to fill him in on the status of the house. To Dorine’s dismay, Orgon seemingly couldn’t care less about his wife’s debilitating fever, while hanging over Tartuffe’s every word. Mariane is set to marry Valere
Taylor Arthur / Roundup
Amir Khalighi, Tartuffe, is seduced by Leah Foster, Elmire, to prove a point to her husband, Orgon, Ben Felker, in the second dress rehearsal of Tartuffe in the Dow Arena at Pierce College on Oct. 18, 2016 in Woodland Hills, Calif. (Nickolas Caisse), a young, ecstatic lover. The two are madly in love; their relationship is akin to any generic high school romance. Orgon and his mother have both been deluded into believing the treacherous words of Tartuffe, a religious hypocrite and con man. Orgon is so far gone under his spell; he even turns a blind eye when Tartuffe makes a sexual advance on his wife. Damis, is not one to pass up a chance at exposing the fraud, no matter how tactless he appears. Tartuffe, takes this opportunity to display his particular skill for
redirecting blame, and points the finger at Damis. Orgon, choosing to believe he’d raised a churlish child rather than see the truth at hand, demands Damis apologize to the crooked priest. When Damis refuses, Orgon banishes him from the estate. This is the turning point of the play; the audience is left to contemplate Orgon’s decision. He truly believes anything Tartuffe says or does is divine intervention, so can he really be mocked for his choice? If Abraham were willing to sacrifice Isaac, who are we to say Orgon would not have done the same at his beloved preacher’s
request? Felker, as Orgon, perfectly captures the outrage expected of a man who’s been betrayed on every fundamental level. Broukhim, as Madame Pernelle, was not afraid to use her cane as a weapon. Her performance reminds us all of a time when our mothers wouldn’t believe us, and the frustration that ensued. Foster, as Elmire, was elegance personified. Her careful, deliberate movements represent much of the same tactful tendencies her character requires. Johnson, as Mariane, and Truxal, as Dorine, had the
most relatable chemistry, whether intentional or otherwise. Together they broke the dynamic expected of a master and servant and it was a relief for the audience to see a true friendship onstage. Landmesser, as Cleante, was the unsung champion of reason throughout the play. Whenever the tension rose to its limit, Cleante was there to ensure a smooth transition. The antagonists’ aversion to Cleante’s worldly and well travelled liberal views were an apt metaphor for the use of religion as a tool. Everything not inside these narrowed views were perceived as sin, to question this was blasphemous, it’s no wondering why this play was banned by the church for five years. Khalighi, as Tartuffe, who bears a striking resemblance to our women’s volleyball head coach, Nabil Mardini, is the very rare example of a perfect cast. The speed at which he’s able to switch tones is what allows him to drift perfectly between the humble, altruistic preacher, and the venomous snake that lies waiting for the most opportune moment to strike. James Longstreet, who performed the live score, was absolutely fantastic. His ability to hit his cues allowed the entire play’s momentum to flow evenly and was undoubtedly integral to this performance’s success. The minimalistic set design gave room for the actors themselves to decorate the stage. Going off the quality alone, one would be fair pressed to learn the floor was handpainted. Overall, having been written and performed in rhyme, the decision to add beats and rhythm on top of the player’s dialogue was a nice touch. This is definitely a play worth seeing. “Tartuffe” runs through Oct. 30, in the Dow Arena Theater. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com or by phone: 818-719-6488. Visit the website for ticket prices. vrodriguez.roundupnews@gmail.com
Brahmas win 4 ghouls to 0 Soccer explodes offensively in second half against Wildcats RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @Richard65157819 After missed opportunities by both teams left the first half scoreless, the Brahmas shut out the West Los Angeles Wildcats, 4-0. A ceremonial sophomore appreciation event started off the night for Pierce. It showcased the players moving on to university level teams. The Wildcats goalkeeper, Monica Stieber, was able to stop the Brahmas in the at the beginning of the game, but once the second half started she struggled against the newfound determination Pierce exuded. The Brahmas began to dominate the game starting with Leslie Ramirez who stole the show with back to back goals, giving the Brahmas a 2-0 lead. “I just knew we had to get it done. We had the second half to regroup and tell ourselves on what we need to do.” Ramirez said. “The team executed and remain focus and we just wanted
to get it done and it just happen.” Pierce then scored an additional two goals. Sara Hernandez assisted by Ramirez scored the first and Destiny Brandstetter assisted by Katherine Castillo had the other. “My team just gave it to me and I finish it there is nothing more to it,” Hernandez said. Brandstetter was focused on the game and knew she had to do what she needed to, in order to help out the team. “It was the last few minutes of the game, obviously, and my adrenaline was pumping and I had to go through it,” Brandstetter said. The first half was full of mistakes on both teams and the second half was going to be the win or lose determinant. “I was very pleased in the second half obviously. We woke up in the second half against a very tough team and got it done.” Coach Adolfo Perez said. “The only thing we need to work on is finishing and our strength is that we never give up.” Those that watched the game
Ezzat Wanas / Roundup
Leslie Ramirez (10) on her way to score the second goal on Friday Oct. 21, at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. might say Ramirez was the most valuable player, but she made it clear that's not the case. “This is not about me, this is an entire team effort,” Ramirez said. Brianna Jacobo had an easy night, only having to save the ball once with no other intense plays coming at her. The Brahmas have a BYE game before they play against Santa Monica College at home on Friday, October 28 at 4:00 p.m. Rjespinoza.roundupnews@gmail.com
Pierce Stats Goals: 4 Shots on target: 9 Yellow cards: 1 Record: 10-3-1 Conf. record: 3-1
Goals (Assists) 46' Leslie Ramirez (Adriana Sosa) 55' Leslie Ramirez (Sara Hernandez) 57' Sara Hernandez (Leslie Ramirez) 85' Destiny Brandstetter (Kathrine Castillo) Graphic by: Salvador Fariaz
campus for all Senate prioritizes security with future events RICHARD ESPINOZA Reporter @Richard65157819 Public safety, sexual assault, a safe zone workshop and upcoming events were the issues that were discussed during Monday’s Academic Senate meeting in the Great Hall. The idea behind the Safe Zones is to allow an area for students, staff and faculty to meet and discuss issues of gender and sexuality free of judgement and harassment, according to the Safe Zone Project’s website. “It's important to have these safe zones on campus,” said Maria Perser, a member of the Professional Development Committee. “Especially for the LGBTQ community to feel like there are faculty who support them and have allies here.” The workshops are meant to train faculty to be an ally, according to Perser. A number of other LACCD campuses have similar programs, such as Los Angeles Mission College, East LA College and Harbor College. The senate announced that Pierce College will feature a documentary called, “The Hunting Ground” on Oct. 27, 2016. This film documentary talks about the impact and raises awareness of sexual assaults on campus. According to Director of the Health Center Beth Benne, all schools and colleges are enforced by Title IX, where by law all school administrations have a responsibility to respond promptly to any sexual harassment or sexual violence that creates a hostile environment. They must take immediate action by reporting it to the proper authorities that handle these cases. “The main issue is how various colleges across country have responded or not responded to the allegations of sexual assault that students have made,” Benne said. According Perser, it is important for the campus to show this documentary. “It is necessary to have a dialogue on this issue and to know what our obligations are and to know who our Title IX coordinator is,” Perser said. Vice President of Student Services Earic Dixon Peters addressed the senate about the serious consequences of sexual assault. “The importance of what we know from research and documentation is that one out of four women have been sexually assaulted on a college campus,” Peters said. “If you look at that statistic, it is alarming that should you or anyone walk down campus and count one, two, three and four, that fourth person could possibly be a victim of sexual assault.” According to Peters, the documentary will bring awareness to the prevalent problem of sexual assault. [See Academic Senate, pg. 3]