2008 Woodie Awards
Club Underground: Where the suffering goes on and on
James Vega
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Detour
The Seminar Department has produced a modern version of the epic poem Inferno by Dante Alighieri called Club Underground. The play was performed from Monday, April 23 through Wednesday, April 25 in the Soda Center. The theme, as said by the greeter Professor Pitt (aka Phillip Colas), is "a f***ed up trip!"
Club Underground is an accurate depiction of Dante's Inferno, which outlines the journey of poet Dante Alighieri through the circles of hell with his guide Virgil. Virgil is summoned by Dante's former lover, Beatrice, to guide Dante back to her in Heaven. Virgil guides Dante through the depths of Hell to teach him a lesson that will allow him to return to Beatrice. Once they reach the gates, Virgil says, "Welcome to Club Underground, where the suffering goes on and on forever!"
The first circle of Hell was lust, which was called "The Gael Force Dance Club" in Club Underground. The Saint Mary's references in the names of Club Underground, while a clever idea, may be seen as offensive in the Saint Mary's community if the play is looked at literally as opposed to allegorically. Another example of this was the next circle of Hell titled "Power Stations Fitness Center." In regards to the Saint Mary's references, Shana Dillon '09, who is currently enrolled in Collegiate Seminar 21 and is reading Dante's Inferno, said, "I don't really think that's negative. It seems like they were just trying to relate the play back to our school and add some comedy to it."
On the flip side, Emily Esguerra '09, didn't particularly agree with the Saint Mary's references. "I didn't really agree with SMC being used for some of the rooms of Hell. I mean, I guess its all relative, but I don't see SMC as Hell."
The highlight of the play was a scene in which Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Adolf Hitler sang the Club Underground version of "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things," in which revolutions, executions and secret arrests serve as their favorite things.
The play reached its levels of discomfort, particularly in the level of Hell where the inhabitants committed sins of seduction to be there. A lap dance raised a few eyebrows. So did the profanity-laced role of Satan in "The Manager's Office," the very bottom circle of Hell.
The actors were a group of professionals from around the Bay Area. They, as well as the director and the rest of the contributors, stuck around for questions after the performance. The audience seemed to appreciate this depiction of the epic poem.
Club Underground is an accurate depiction of Dante's Inferno, which outlines the journey of poet Dante Alighieri through the circles of hell with his guide Virgil. Virgil is summoned by Dante's former lover, Beatrice, to guide Dante back to her in Heaven. Virgil guides Dante through the depths of Hell to teach him a lesson that will allow him to return to Beatrice. Once they reach the gates, Virgil says, "Welcome to Club Underground, where the suffering goes on and on forever!"
The first circle of Hell was lust, which was called "The Gael Force Dance Club" in Club Underground. The Saint Mary's references in the names of Club Underground, while a clever idea, may be seen as offensive in the Saint Mary's community if the play is looked at literally as opposed to allegorically. Another example of this was the next circle of Hell titled "Power Stations Fitness Center." In regards to the Saint Mary's references, Shana Dillon '09, who is currently enrolled in Collegiate Seminar 21 and is reading Dante's Inferno, said, "I don't really think that's negative. It seems like they were just trying to relate the play back to our school and add some comedy to it."
On the flip side, Emily Esguerra '09, didn't particularly agree with the Saint Mary's references. "I didn't really agree with SMC being used for some of the rooms of Hell. I mean, I guess its all relative, but I don't see SMC as Hell."
The highlight of the play was a scene in which Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and Adolf Hitler sang the Club Underground version of "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things," in which revolutions, executions and secret arrests serve as their favorite things.
The play reached its levels of discomfort, particularly in the level of Hell where the inhabitants committed sins of seduction to be there. A lap dance raised a few eyebrows. So did the profanity-laced role of Satan in "The Manager's Office," the very bottom circle of Hell.
The actors were a group of professionals from around the Bay Area. They, as well as the director and the rest of the contributors, stuck around for questions after the performance. The audience seemed to appreciate this depiction of the epic poem.