To conclude his time here at BYU–Hawaii, Theater and Speech Professor Craig Ferre will be directing the same play with which he began his BYUH career 35 years ago. The cast, a collection of students and original cast members, he said, will put on a final production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” as a way to honor him.
Assistant director Michaela Bayona, a senior English major from California, said she has loved working with Ferre for a year and a half and has learned a lot from him. “It is really exciting to be doing this play because it was the first show he did here at BYUH. Having some alumni back is a big tribute for all the work and time he has put in,” said Bayona. “It is just a really nice way for him to round off his career.”
Ferre said he is grateful to “finish the way [he] started” and have his former students participate. “I chose this play because this is the very first show I did here back in November 1980,” said Ferre. “I thought it would be fun to direct the same show I started with.”
Ferre explained the people he has invited to participate make this production special. “Some of the older people coming back are some of the very best actors I have had over the years. The students have been the best part of my experience in Hawaii. Having the alumni back is a way to remember the students I have taught over the years.”
Although not all of the original cast was able to reprise their roles, Ferre said he is grateful for those who were able to. “At least we got some to come back. Some will be in the play, help behind the scenes with costume changes, and others are just coming back to watch.
“But after each show, we will have a mini reunion backstage and there will be special displays in the lobby to show all that has been done over the years. That is what will make the event meaningful.”
The play will be the same as the original play, except for one small change in one of the characters. Originally characterized as German, Ferre changed the character to make him Chinese because the actor was Chinese. “That is the great thing about teaching here. The diversity in the cast are not all Caucasian or American. Although we don’t have a different culture for each character, we do have Chinese, American, Filipino and Hawaiian in the cast.”
According to Ferre, one of the original cast members, Shelly Brady, will be returning to play one of the aunties, while her daughter, Erica Brady, and her mother, Harriette Hankel Ferre, will be playing other roles “There will be three generations in the Saturday show, which will be interesting,” said Ferre.
Erica Brady, a junior music major from Oregon, said she is excited to be in a play with her mother and grandmother. “I will also be playing the original role that my mom played in the 1980 production, so I think that’s fun. They both hadn’t done a play in a long time, so I am glad that they are having the opportunity again.”
She encouraged students to watch the show because it is the last chance they’ll have to see a show with the Ferre touch. “There are alumni who are off island who are flying to Hawaii just for the play because Brother Ferre has done a wonderful job to keep the Theater Department alive at BYUH,” added Brady.
The play, said Ferre, is a comedy about a nephew discovering his two aunts are homicidal killers and tries to stop them and put them away. “I hope that the audience will enjoy it and be part of the experience.”
Ferre said he is sad to be leaving, but grateful for the experience and lessons he has learned by being a professor at BYUH. “I am more efficient and patient than I used to be. I can get important things out of the actors efficiently and I take a shorter period of time to accomplish the same thing.”
After retiring, Ferre will return to Oregon and hopes to be a shift worker in the Portland Temple.
The play will be held at the Auditorium from April 21-23, 7:30-10 p.m.