Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Culture

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Students rehearse in Rice Auditorium. [Click to enlarge]

"Private Eyes" by Steven Dietz opened Wednesday, Oct. 24, in Rice Auditorium under the student-direction of Sara King. And, according to Samuel Benedict, sophomore, playing Matthew, "Sara has done a kick-ass job putting the show together." This play is "all about lies", remarks Margaret Fitzgibbon junior, who plays Lisa. "Private Eyes" will keep you busy trying to decide what is real and what is not. Benedict describes it by saying, "everything that happens…may not be happening. You can't trust it."

Mingled with an audition, lunches, sessions with a therapist and an affair, is the characters' exploration of the truth. "Honesty should not be an afterthought, but a last resort" is one opinion put forward. Matthew, Benedict explains that "he's afraid to confront the reality of the situation." In contrast, "Frank's the voice of reason," says Brandon White, sophomore, of his character. The play centers around Matthew and how he remembers past events, with Frank encouraging him to distinguish between his embellished memories and the truth. Another force driving Matthew to take an honest look at the situation is Cory (Lisle Pedersen, senior). "She's vindictive," states Pedersen, and Cory attempts to recruit Matthew to help with her vendetta.

Lisa and Matthew are married, but Matthew suspects her of having an affair with Adrian, who is played by junior Coldon Ruscheinsky. Ruscheinsky describes his character as, "extremely condescending and arrogant. And British." The relationship between Lisa and Adrian is the surface cause of the play's turmoil, although Matthew's inability to deal with truth only serves to compound matters. In fact, all three characters wrestle with the problem of what to do with the facts. They dance around, through, and away from the truth, never certain what the other characters know, never certain what they want the other characters to know. As Pedersen points out, the play is "stylized [but] has a lot of realistic moments." As the play progresses, the audience attempts to discern what parts of the action are 'real' and what parts aren't. In spite of this ambiguity, Rushceinsky asserts that "it's very honest about relationships and how they go wrong and how lies and deceit can poison a relationship."

"Private Eyes" is not a rehashing of anything you've seen. It is unique, gripping and involving. White encourages students to come see the play "because it's not what you're going to expect [and is] much different from what people are used to." Benedict says it is "funny and human, a story I think people can really relate to." Pedersen recommends attending because it has "some really funny moments mixed with some good drama." Fitzgibbon is particularly enthusiastic about the midnight performance, Oct. 26, and emphasizes that the production is "fabulous!" If you need more reasons to see "Private Eyes," it's on campus, inexpensive and by going you will support your fellow students. •

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