October 2000

Hysteria by Terry Johnson is based on an actual meeting between two of the worlds greatest and most eccentric minds, that of Sigmund Freud and Salvador Dali. This outrageous comedy finds Freud in his quiet suburb of Hampstead, England having fled from the Nazis as they occupied Austria where he had lived for seventy-nine years. Here he hopes to spend his last days in peace. But this is not to be. When Salvador Dali appears along with a young attractive "student" of Freud’s work all hell breaks loose. So why is Freud burning his latest publication? Why is he being berated by Salvador Dali? Why is there a naked woman in his closet? Why is he close to hysteria? Come see Terry Johnson’s new comedy at the Hipp and find out.

Hysteria is a "brilliant farce" of hilarious misunderstandings and the most dazzling array of special effects since Rocky Horror, Dracula, and Frankenstein. "Near the end of the night, the play…literally tears the stage apart and startlingly visualizes a whole catalog of Freudian symbols and Dalian iconography. To cap the evening, Johnson provides an inspired ending that neatly and cleverly brings the play, and Freud’s life, full circle."- The Chicago Tribune

This fantastic meeting between Dali and Freud, which took place in London in 1938, was one of the most important in Dali’s life. Dali considered Freud one of the most vital influences in his life and on his art. The surrealist had considered Freud their patron saint. Dali had unsuccessfully tried to set up meetings with Freud in Vienna. In London, Dali was finally successful in arranging a meeting through the intervention of a mutual friend.

Freud was always of the opinion that the surrealists were "complete fools." His taste was classical and Freud was not easily dissuaded from his opinions not to mention that he was very resistant to meet with a man he considered a "lunatic."

The meeting was a significant one. Dali claimed that the founder of psychoanalysis, as a result of their encounter, was forced to reconsider his view of Surrealism. Freud wrote "that the young Spaniard with his fanatical eyes and his undeniable technical mastery" did indeed change his view of modern art. Freud recognized in Dali a combination of passion and control, which he himself also possessed.

Hysteria takes these conflicting forces and allows them to collide in an explosive, hysterical evening of theatre.

A huge question in American Theatre is "How do we build audiences for the future?" This dilemma is not one which we take lightly at The Hippodrome. We have been touring in the Alachua County school systems and throughout Florida for many years, and this season is no different.

Radio Active celebrates the history of music throughout the ages. The show will tour every elementary and middle school throughout Alachua County and then head out to schools throughout Florida. The play is an exploration of music throughout the ages beginning with African Drumming and moving to Opera, Classic, Ragtime, Big Band, Country and Western, Rock and Roll, and Techno, introducing students to the famous composers, developers, and practitioners. The show examines musical skills and techniques like rhythm, chants, and raps. Radio Active gives us a window into music as it relates to history and culture. Most of all Radio Active gives students and appreciation of the importance of music and sound in their lives.

Using the Sunshine State Standards as inspiration, the play takes students through a musical adventure that builds their appreciation and understanding of music and the arts. The tour is part of the Hipp’s education program, which is committed to introducing all students to the magic and excitement of live theatre.

This program is funded in part from grants from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the Alachua County School Board.

Our young people are the audience of the future. Ask your kids about RadioActive!
 

Planned Giving is a way for you to leave behind a powerful message, after planning for yourself and your heirs, about the ideals, values and organizations that were important to you during your lifetime.  It is also a way to give to an organization without decreasing the inheritance of your heirs.  Estate Planning allows you to control 100% of your lifetime assets.  Every year, a certain percentage of your income is put toward taxes.  At death, you may also be required to share a percentage of your estate with the government.  This is called “involuntary philanthropy”.  The alternative is “voluntary philanthropy”, where you can choose to create charitable gifts rather than paying taxes to the government.  This allows you to give more to your heirs and also to support your community and favorite charity.

The Hippodrome State Theatre would like to request the opportunity to be part of your social legacy.  Your philanthropy will secure the future of the Hippodrome so that we can continue to offer this theatrical art form to the children of Alachua County. With the expert legal assistance of Hippodrome Sponsor, David Etherington a planned giving program is simple.  The Law Offices of David Etherington will guide you through the process.
Initiated only four months ago, the Hippodrome’s Planned Giving Program has generated an incredible amount of interest and has already secured four bequests.  With their help, along with others, the Hippodrome will remain the Hippest place for theatre for generations to come!

If we can be helpful to you in making a planned gift to the Hippodrome State Theatre please contact Nell Page, Director of Development at 373-5968.

October 2000

Johnson dramatized the real-life meeting between Salvador Dali and Sigmund Freud in this award-winning farce (1994 Olivier Award for Best Comedy and Writers Guild Award for Best West End Play). Dali, the surrealist known for  melting clocks and layered images, was a huge admirer of Freud's genius. The painter had become enamored of Freud when he read The Interpretation of Dreams at the ripe age of 21. Dali attempted to meet Freud for years, despite Freud's belief that all surrealists are "complete fools". With the help of Stefan Zweig, an admirer of Dali's work and friend to Freud, Dali was at last received by the "Father" of psychoanalysis in 1938 after the German annexation of Austria forced Freud to flee to London where play takes place. Armed with The Metamorphosis of Narcissus as a gift, the 34-year old surrealist set out to meet the 82-year-old doctor in his eccentrically decorated study.

Those are the bare facts from which the play springs. Add to the cast of historic figures Abraham Yahuda, the Egyptian Scholar who challenged Freud's controversial work, Moses and Monotheism. Yahuda was a real-life "doctor" who held a PhD, but in Johnson's play he also becomes Freud's physician Max Schur (who helped Freud through his pain from jaw cancer). Also there to interrupt Freud's last moments of peace is Jessica - a conglomeration of Freud's real-life case studies - who comes tapping on his window demanding an analysis of her childhood. Between the doctor's physical and verbal jabs, the neuroses of the naked patient in his closet and the babbling surrealist, Freud himself comes close to Hysteria.

Find out how hysterical the situation becomes in this wild look at Freud's dying days. Hysteria reaches the Hippodrome October 20 and doesn't leave until November 12.

Michael Lasswell, an award winning set designer, recently made his first visit to the Hippodrome State Theatre to design the set for Hysteria.  The Hippodrome’s upcoming performance of Hysteria takes place in Sigmund Freud’s study, which Lasswell recreated, based on actual pictures from Freud’s office.

“Freud was a big collector,” Lasswell said.  “His office was filled with ancient artifacts from all over the world.”

These artifacts, as well as Freud’s furniture, have all been accurately recreated to fill the Hysteria set.  If you look closely during the performance, you might also find many Freudian jokes in the set.  In order to make the audience feel more drawn into the performance space, Lasswell designed the architecture of the Hysteria set to reflect the Hippodrome State Theatre building.

As Hysteria is no normal play, the set Lasswell designed is no normal set.  Towards the twisted end of Hysteria the set transforms in numerous ways.  Come see Lasswell’s historical and spectacular design for yourself.  Hysteria is playing at the Hippodrome State Theatre from October 20 to November 12.

The Hippodrome has one of the most respected education programs in the nation and the Hippodrome Improvisational Teen Theatre (HITT) program has received national and international recognition.  This is due to the incredible work of Bonnie Harrison, the Hippodrome’s Director of Education.  She has developed HITT into a world class program and the honors and awards keep coming in.

HITT was honored by Florida Association of Voluntary Caribbean Action (FAVACA) who invited HITT to create a drug prevention pilot program in Grenada.  Over the past five years, the HITT team has been invited by FAVACA to create similar pilot programs in Antigua, Barbuda, and St Lucia.  This year’s request came from Terence Walters of the Drug Avoidance Council in Grenada.  Mr. Walters was eager to have the HITT team work with area youth from schools throughout Grenada during a weeklong drug prevention camp.  The Hipp’s Director of Education, Bonnie Harrison, and Producing Director, Mary Hausch prepared a program that included entertaining and educational drug prevention games and exercises aimed at encouraging youth to lead a drug free lifestyle.  Thirty youth participated in this workshop which culminated in a performance for approximately 60 peers, parents, and area leaders.  The message of the presentation was strong and clear.  These youth communicated to their parents, teachers, and political leaders their need for community activities and places to go that would provide an alternative to parties, where drinking, and drugs are popular and available.  The local television and newspaper were present at the event broadcasting the youth’s important message throughout Grenada.  The project was so successful that Mr. Walters has requested that the team return to conduct a pregnancy prevention workshop in the next year.

As Director of the HITT program, Bonnie Harrison has been instrumental in the development of the service learning and World Wide Web components of the HITT program.  Her work has brought her many well-deserved awards.  Her honors include a nomination for Alachua-Bradford County Women if Distinction Award (1999), Award for Outstanding Support from Very Special Arts Florida (1998), the Commissioners’ Challenge Education Award (1998), SWANA Florida Sunshine Chapter Award (1998), Florida International Volunteer Corp recognition (2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996), and a nomination for Outstanding Theatre Educator (1997).  Bonnie is also a member of the Drama League (1998), International Who’s Who of Professionals (1998), and Actors’ Equity Association in the USA and Canada.