Cal Poly Pomona’s theater department comes back with its third production, “The Cradle Will Rock,” written by Marc Blitzstein. The play is set in the fictional Steeltown and a politically tense environment.
Director of the play Bernardo Solano shared that on the opening night of the first-ever production back in 1937, the play was protested, due to the pro-union, liberal themes the play represents.
The doors were padlocked and guards were placed blocking entrance into the theater.
According to Solano, in an effort to perform the show anyways, another theater was found and interested audience members followed.
Since an order had been placed banning actors and musicians from performing the play on a stage, the actors performed it from within the audience instead of on stage.
Director Solano said he doesn’t want to give away too much of the plot calling it “easy” and saying that “the show is old but it has relevance today.” Moreover, Solano said it deals with corruption and with influential people having agendas.
Daniela Avila | The Poly Post
Solano says the play touches on themes of unionism and is “relevant to what’s happening in Michigan with General Motors … (where) auto workers have been on strike for six weeks.”
Nathan Pangan, a second-year psychology major, plays Editor Daily in the upcoming play. He describes the show as being “politically driven.” He shares that a character named Mr. Mister controls all monopolies of Steeltown.
Pangan shares that the nice contrast between the upper and middle class in the play is also mirrored in today’s society.
Erin Bordenave, a third-year theater major, who plays Reverend Salvation, explained that students wanted to perform the play because of its reflection of current events and political climate.
Pangan shares that practice for the play was tough, spending over 10 hours a week and rehearsing four times a week.
This upcoming play will be Bordenave’s first-ever production and Pangan’s third production at CPP.
Director Solano described the show as fair-sized, with a cast of 16 people, but it’s a “hard show to sing.”
“Everyone has done a fantastic job of learning the music,” Solano said. He emphasized the importance of the ensemble and highlighted the major role music plays throughout the show. Solano also disclosed that there will be a lot of conversational dialogue that is sung much like an opera or musical.
“The Cradle Will Rock” will be held in the University Theatre (Bldg. 25) at 8 p.m. Oct. 25, 26, 31, and Nov. 1 and 2. The play will also be performed at 2 p.m. Nov 3.
General admission tickets will be $15, Cal Poly Pomona alumni tickets are $12 and all CPP faculty, staff, students and senior citizens tickets are $10.
To purchase tickets visit www.bit.ly/cpptndtix or www.cpp.edu/~class/Theatre-New-Dance.