Victorian comedy revolves around manipulating Father
by Brian Shults, SE News Editor

    Family foibles drive the world of entertainment with dramatic dilemmas and humorous conflict, but SE Campus' production of Life With Father sticks only to the humorous side of family.
    "It's the classic quick-witted comedy," T.J. Berry, cast member, said.
    Set in Victorian era New York City, Life With Father revolves around an ireful, but loving father, who cannot quite control the actions and words of his family.
    "It's his way or no way. When he makes his point, he thinks it should be done right then and there. The thing is, it isn't," Brad DeBorde, SE student who plays Father, said.
    Life With Father was adapted for the stage by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse from Clarence Day's semi-autobiographical works. The SE production opens today at 8 p.m. and runs through Saturday.
    An additional matinee is at 2 p.m. Saturday. Father is free for all TCC students, faculty and staff. General admission is $5.
    As for the staging for Father, it would be difficult to notice much of a difference from most homes: a dining table on the left and a sofa, chair and fireplace on the right.
    Yet the predicaments and interactions of a family grant it a fond uniqueness in which human commonalities are shared.
    In the production, Father wishes to instill a sense of order and wisdom within the members of his family.
    His son, Clarence Jr., in particular wishes to absorb as much as possible from his father before he leaves for college in the fall.
    Based on personal experience with his own wife, Father attempts to explain to Clarence Jr. the secrets of dealing with women, DeBorde said.
    "His (Father's) lectures are so full of it," he said.
    "Basically, he tries to tell me (Clarence Jr.) the reason why women make us so confused is that as soon as you think you might know something, they flip it!" Joe Arellano said.
    In addition to listening to Father's spiels, Clarence Jr. also emulates characteristics of him while falling in love for the first time.
    "I play one of Father's sons. He wears his father's suits. And he complains that he can't be himself while wearing his father's clothes," Arellano said.
    While young Clarence Jr. works hard to define himself as a man by dressing and acting the part, Father's wife Vinnie, played by Mandy Maxfield, chides her husband after she discovers he has yet to be baptized and still refuses to do so.
    Vinnie and the spartan reverend, played by Clemente Schaller, attempt to convince Father to get out of his suit and into the baptismal waters.
    "She's (Vinnie) very conniving and convinced that Clarence Sr. won't go to Heaven unless he gets baptized," Maxfield said.
    Father's authority and stubbornness are what define him or what he believes define him, DeBorde said.
    "On the surface Father is very patriarchal, but in reality he's a big softy with his wife. And his kids pretty much get what they want," John Dement, production director and head of the SE drama department, said.
    Other cast members include Kirby McMillian, Erica Newhart, Nathan Childs, Kevin Wallace, Marilyn DeCasas, Mary Muro, Genevieve Croft, Nathan Autrey, Terrie Doty and Alanna Busby. David Vieira is the stage manager, and Jim Halley supervises the technical director.
    For more information and reservations, call the SE Box Office at 817-515-3599.