Sonoma State University’s (SSU) Theater Arts Department’s upcoming performance ‘Perfect Arrangement’, taking place March 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Person Theater is based on a true story, and sheds light on the difficulty for LGBTQ communities to exist during a time where freedom of speech was heavily restricted.
The show, ‘Perfect arrangement’ is a historical comedy set in the 1950’s during the Red Scare and tackles some heavy themes of homophobia, and the suppression of certain political beliefs and human rights. The protagonists, a gay and lesbian couple working for the U.S. State Department, decide to marry each other’s spouses as a cover for their identities. The theater website does list a content warning – tackling heavy topics of homophobia and anti-communist propaganda directed at minority groups that were used during a dark time in American history, with the goal of bringing empowerment to those affected.
The director of the performance, Ely Sonny Orquiza, quoted ‘I love Lucy’ as one of their main inspirations for the aesthetic design of the show, and plans to have an immersive 1950’s set and costume designs on prominent display. Everything in the performance is led by students in the department.,
“Working with this cast is so incredible because this cast, these artists, are not just talented, [the students] are really sharp, fearless, and deeply creative,” Orquiza said.
The student-led council, including Bucky Brynjegard-Bialik and Leila Brown, who play starring roles in the show, chose this play to represent the LGBTQ+ community of Sonoma State and bring awareness to the issues they face today.
“This play is so urgent right now, because we’re seeing a similar effect under the Trump administration; that a lot of LGBTQ and queer individuals were fired from the government during this time,” Orquiza said.
“In some ways, this play serves as a warning about the cyclical nature of oppression towards people’s continued existence for our community. These policies and bigotry can destroy lives of people under the guise of protecting society…that’s what we’re experiencing right now,”: said Orquiza
He also said that despite all of the hardship, the cast has developed a real community backstage. “I’m so inspired by and so joyful that the majority of the cast are queer, trans, and non-binary individuals. There is such a shared language and shared community
According to Orquiza, planned cuts to the theater arts department has left the cast of the performance uncertain about their future here at SSU. When news of SSU’s planned closure of the theater arts department arrived “it really was hard for everybody, including myself, to hear the devastating news.”
Orquiza said he felt the cutting of the department was more than just a financial decision.“Sonoma State’s draconian decision to cut both artistic and academic departments, including theater and dance, is essentially a cultural erasure,” Orquiza said. “Your voice, and passion, and artistry, matter now more than ever. So keep making art, keep challenging the system, and keep proving why the arts are not expendable.”
If the university does not back down on their planned cuts, this upcoming performance will be the last the Person Theater ever holds.
“The arts have always been dangerous to those in power because they expose the truth,” said Orquiza.“This isn’t just about one university, it’s about a growing movement to silence voices, to erase perspectives, and if we let it happen here in Sonoma state I think it will keep happening everywhere.”