Dan DaranciangWhat do Sophocles, “The House of Yes” and the 17th-century British court have in common? Sex, love, family.oh yeah – and a combination of all three. Not since the days of “Oedipus Rex” has one play seen so much familial longing, but the similarities between Sophocles’ masterpiece, Henry V and Wendy MacLeod’s dark comedy probably stop right there.
“The House of Yes,” which will be performed this weekend as part of a Performing Arts Department senior honors thesis, tells the story of the Pascals, a ridiculously well-to-do family, their lunatic daughter Jackie O., her obsession with her twin brother Marty and the entire family’s attempt to regain normalcy despite their overwhelming interest in the assassination of Jack Kennedy and their very close proximity to the Kennedy estate itself.
After Marty returns home for Thanksgiving break with fianc‚e Lesly in tow, the family’s odd interactions erupt into an all-out battle. Jackie O. (who received this moniker after arriving at a costume party dressed as the famous first lady, covered in fake blood and macaroni) wishes to rid the house of Lesly in order to resume her affair with Marty. Her younger brother Anthony (played in the film version by an awkward Freddie Prinze Jr.) wishes to break up Marty’s relationship, hoping to have Lesly as his own.
In the end, according to playwright Wendy MacLeod, “The House of Yes” is a “play about people that have never been said no to,” who are “living by the rules they’ve invented.”
However, despite the play’s seemingly bizarre plot and wacky characters, director Brian Stojak claims that interesting issues lie beneath the surface of this dark comedy.
“It basically revolves around some crazy issues but a simple story,” Stojak said. “It’s a family that may have some dysfunction, but they’re just trying to simply live life and get by.”
Stojak also claims that the play is perfect for college-age students who may be ready for a taste of slightly nontraditional theatre.
“It’s different than things they may have seen and things that have been presented on campus,” said Stojak. “It’s very exciting. It’s only about 75 minutes, and it’s a very fast-paced, witty comedy with some love and some violence.”
“The House of Yes” will be performed in the A.E. Hotchner Theatre on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is free.