Little Theatre takes on Shaw’s ‘Arms and the Man’
The cast of Little Theatre of Owatonna’s “Arms and the Man” are (from left): Polly Shives, Emma Oyloe, Mark Place, Amy Anderson, Mark Zollner, Rian Cloutier, and Bin Huang. Not pictured: David Phillips. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
At age 17, Rian Cloutier might seem a little young to play the part of a Serbian general in George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man.”
But Cloutier, who is taking college classes while attending Medford High School, brings with him stage experience in school and at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault. The latest Little Theatre of Owatonna (LTO) production, which opens this weekend, marks his second appearance with the company.
The classic dramedy, first performed in 1894, is set during the Serbio-Bulgarian War in 1835. Captain Bluntschli, Cloutier said, “is a military officer who escapes from a cavalry charge and takes refuge in the female lead’s bedroom.”
“A whole lot of antics spiral from that,” he added. “It’s really funny.”
The captain is the character “who has everything figured out most of the time. He has a sound head on his shoulders,” Cloutier said.
While he’d never heard of “Arms and the Man” before this experience, he’s really enjoying the show–and thinks audiences will, too.
“I think it’s a good blend of great storytelling, comedy, and a lot of drama as well,” said Cloutier, who hopes to continue acting when he finishes school and moves to the Twin Cities.
At the other end of the spectrum, Mark Place has been involved in LTO shows since 2001. He plays Major Petkoff, who “thinks he’s in charge of the household … until his wife speaks.”
Place is familiar with “Arms and the Man” and said he always thought of it as “the first romantic comedy”. Acting in a 120-year-old show, he said, is easier in some ways, because “nobody has anything to compare it to. But it’s harder because nobody has anything to compare it to.”
Julianna Skluzacek directs the show, with Mary Butler-Fraser as technical director.
The cast also includes:
- Raina - Emma Oyloe
- Catherine - Amy Anderson
- Sergius - Bin Huang
- Louka - Polly Shives
- Nicola - Mark Zollner
- Solider - David Phillips
Performances are slated 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 18, 24, and 25, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Feb. 19 and 26.
Tickets are $19 for adults, $14 for students, and will be available for members on Jan. 28 and the public on Feb. 4. Purchase tickets online at littletheatreofowatonna.org and at Tri M Graphics, 625 E. Main St. in Owatonna.