The Department of Theater and Dance will present its fall production, “The Government Inspector,” Nov. 4-8 in Yulman Theater. Tickets are on sale now.
The show, based on Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 play, is adapted and directed by Jorge Luna.
When the locals in a small town learn that an undercover government inspector will arrive for a surprise visit, a case of mistaken identity prompts a group of corrupt officials to confront questions of morality and political accountability in a fast-paced satirical comedy.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 4-7 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 8. Tickets are by suggested donation, $15 for general admission and $5 for senior citizens and those with a Union ID. They are available at the box office between 1-2 p.m. Monday through Friday and through Eventbrite.
Gogol’s comedy in this new adaptation brings a modern feel to the play.
A rehearsal of the Department of Theater and Dance's fall production, “The Government Inspector. The show, based on Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 play, is adapted and directed by Jorge Luna.
“ ‘The Government Inspector’ may be an old play, but in no way does it fall short in terms of entertainment. Each scene will have you laughing, either from a funny innuendo or the absurdity of a character’s actions,” said Raiya Morad ’30. A history major, Morad plays the role of Marya.
Other performers have found the themes surprisingly connected to the modern world.
“This play is an older one, but I think it has so much relevance to what’s going on today,” said Fay Janssen ’28. An English major, Jannsen plays the role of Bobchinsky.
Political parodies are useful to remind the audience how important it is to question the people that are in power - and to laugh at them.
“At a time when politics and government are on the mind of many in our campus community, this production is a vibrant and comedic look at bureaucracy in its most overblown and ridiculous form,” said Brittney Belz, costume designer and chair of Theater and Dance. “We get to see the issues that Gogol was satirizing in 19th century Russia through the lens of today, creating a space to discuss the importance of not just global or national, but local government.
“Plus, it’s just really great to watch the students have fun with these roles, and see the over-the-top designs for this show come to life onstage.”
“This show is such a breath of fresh air,” said Paige Fox ‘27, a theater major with a minor in dance. “It has been an absolute joy to be a part of this production. Playing with accents, slapstick comedy, and learning about the wonders that are Russian names are just a few of the many perks of working on this comedy.”
Luna previously directed the department’s production of “FLORIDITA, my Love,” in 2023.
A scene from the Department of Theater and Dance's fall production, “The Government Inspector." The show, based on Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 play, is being staged in Yulman Theater.
“Be it through mockery, jest or earnestness, art is activist at its core,” he said. “Russian literature truly makes me envious, in a favorable way, that is, as their ability to place a mirror in front of society so it can look at itself is unparagoned. The situation Gogol creates for the characters could seem completely out of the ordinary, yet is it truly too far from reality?”
Holden Killian ’30 joins the cast for his first department production at Union. He plays the role of Artemy.
“I wasn't sure if I would ever act again, but my experience in this play has given me so much joy and love that I know I have to do more. I hope you love it as much as I do."
The show will last almost two hours, with one intermission.
The show contains staged affection, strong language, and flickering and moving lights.
For more information or accommodative seating arrangements, contact boxoffice@union.edu, or call (518) 388-6545.