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The Villanova Theatre will continue its season with the production of “Don Juan,” which will be performed Nov. 11-23 at Vasey Hall. Written by 17th century French dramatist Molière, the play features Don Juan traversing the countryside fulfilling his own physical desires, and ultimately producing heartbreak. His character represents a new occurrence for the time period- bodily desire divorced from emotional attachment.

“I’m using the atmosphere and feeling of the fifties and early sixties, a highly excitable and stylish environment, to maintain what is important to Don Juan,” explained director James J. Christy, Villanova theatre professor and winner of two Barrymore Awards. “My hope for this production is for it to be smart and entertaining yet interesting to look at and to think about.”
The lead role, Don Juan, is being portrayed by graduate student Juan Bertrán. He said, “I once heard the quotation: ‘You are what you love, not what others love about you.’ With this in mind, I launched myself into the play ‘Don Juan’ and into Don Juan himself.” Additionally, the character Sganarelle is being depicted by John Galla; Dona Elvira is Daniella Vinitski and Gusman is Mike Dees.

Prior to Don Juan, the theatre department began its season with “Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)” written by Ann-Marie MacDonald. The next performance will be Tennessee Williams’s “Summer and Smoke” followed by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry’s “Parade.” The performances at Villanova Theatre feature the University’s graduate students and are directed by a faculty member or guest director.

Thusfar Villanova Theatre performances have been honored by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia with 32 nominations and six Barrymore awards, and by the American College Theatre Festival with more than 20 Certificates of Merit.

The production will be in Vasey Hall Theatre, which seats approximately 200. The curtain will rise at 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.