The cast for "The Philadelphia Story" was a-buzz Monday night as they put the finishing touches on their production, which opens at 7:30 p.m. today in University Theatre.
In the 1940s, the show was made into an Oscar award-winning movie starring Kathryn Hepburn, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart.
The play is set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the 1930s.
"This play is for anybody who likes movies from the '30s and '40s. It's funny and sarcastic and a great date play," Bill Jenkins, director and Chairman of the theatre department, said.
Ball State senior Pearl Rhein plays the part of Tracy Lord, a young Philadelphia socialite.
Rhein said her character is struggling to discover who she is and what exactly it is she wants for herself.
For much of the play, Rhein's character can't make up her mind whether she'll stay with her fiance or go back to her ex-husband.
Rhein said the play's author wasn't quite sure either.
"Phillip Barry got to act three and didn't know what guy Tracy would end up with," she said.
Senior Bobby Richards plays Tracy Lord's ex-husband, Dexter Haven. Richards said this character is a real departure from his usual roles.
"I'm used to playing the kooky roles," he said. "It's been a totally different experience for me, playing sort of a playboy."
The cast and crew of "Philadelphia Story" are made up of Ball Students and faculty with one exception.
"Students did the lights, a faculty member did the set, its pretty much all Ball State people except Kathryn [Roe]," Jenkins said.
Kathryn Rhoe is a costume designer from New York City who was hired in for the production. Formerly of the University of Virginia, Rhoe has since moved on to pursue a professional career in costume design.
Rhoe's resume includes productions such as "Lion King," "Mama Mia," "The Producers" and "Urinetown."
"After this is over, I'll be working on costumes for 'The Producers' the movie," Rhoe said.
Tickets for Ball State's production of "The Philadelphia Story" are $12 for the general public, $11 for Ball State faculty and staff, $9 for senior citizens and $6 for all students.
Tickets are available at the University Theatre Box Office, open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. "Story" runs from Feb. 17-19, 23-26 and will also have a 2:30 p.m. showing on Feb. 20.
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