Pitt Rep’s new “Big Love” handles some big topics

“Big Love” shows just how out-of-control arranged marriage can get when the bride changes her… “Big Love” shows just how out-of-control arranged marriage can get when the bride changes her mind. When 50 future brides escape to Italy in a boat, they benefit from the country’s charms only until their suitors follow them there, and the plot turns deadly. Contrary to the name, “Big Love” is full of violent, theatrical showdowns, including kitchen utensils and jagged saw blades.

Big Love Pitt Repertory Theatre Stephen Foster Memorial’s Henry Heymann Theatre Preview Performance tonight, 8 p.m. Runs through April 13 $12 student tickets 412-624-PLAY

Charles Mee, American author and playwright, wrote “Big Love” based on the Aeschylus tragedy “The Suppliant Maidens,” part of a trilogy in which Danaids flee forced marriage to their Egyptian cousins. “Big Love” takes similar themes of sisterhood, independence and true love, displayed through a new, bewildering blend of poetry, music and violence. Mee welcomes changes to the script to make the play different for each cast – a move as Pitt Rep chose to do.

Student actress Emily Simpson, a junior at Pitt, said, “We’ve made it our own to represent our cast for a spontaneous effect … I think that audiences will be able to relate to the non-conformist theme. These are characters who want to make their own way.”

The play is meant for mature audiences, with its stylized mass murder, poetic profanity and nudity scenes that may surprise viewers. The student cast experiments with these risque behaviors in Mee’s interpretation for a more entertaining, modern drama.

Director Melissa Rynn Porterfield teaches intro to performance, dramatic arts and Shakespeare classes at Pitt, and also recently directed Pitt Rep’s “Family Stories” in 2007.

The University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theatre’s play opens at Stephen Foster Memorial’s Henry Heymann Theatre on Thursday at 8 p.m. and continues through April 13. Student tickets for the nine showings are $12, while senior citizens, Pitt faculty, staff and alumni tickets are $19. Additional information is available at www.play.pitt.edu or at the box office by calling 412-624-PLAY.