🎭 Shakespeare Performance Troupe presents The Government Inspector, written by Ukranian-Russian Playwright Nikolai Gogol, originally published in 1836 and performed in Russian. The play follows a low-level, impoverished civil servant as they are mistaken for the Government Inspector by corrupt members of a small town’s elite. Shenanigans and ridiculousness ensue as the townspeople enact more and more elaborate schemes to try and please this “Government Inspector”. As the mistaken “Government Inspector” grows aware of the townspeople’s misconception of their identity, they use their position to gain favor and prestige as the play progresses, throwing themself deeper and deeper into the deception and thus furthering the ridiculous actions of the townspeople.
Translated by Thomas Seltzer and cut by the directors, this production Utilizes the aesthetics of 1980’s consumer culture in both the Soviet Union and the United States.
🎭 Content warnings include misogyny, threats of violence (comedic), acts of violence (comedic), infidelity (comedic), abuse of power (political, familial, and romantic), emotional manipulation (familial), xenophobic comments, and large amounts of classism. The show includes large amounts of flashing lights, unexpected, loud noises, and abrupt music.
🎭 Production team
Bina Lee, class of 2025, Co-Director
Mads Muller, class of 2025, Co-Director
Zhenyun Gerstl, class of 2026, Stage Manager
🎭 Cast
Audrey Hinsdale, class of 2025, Bobchinsky
Ava McBurney, class of 2027, Postmaster
Char Gillman-Boggs, class of 2027, Khlestakov
Elisabeth Weber, class of 2027, Captain/Sasha
Grace Thomas, class of 2027, Artemy
Katie Durow, class of 2025, Marya
Kennedy Derleth, class of 2025, Governor
Kit Knapp, class of 2027, Anna
Meghan Tarpey, class of 2026, Dobchinsky
Olivia Crolle, class of 2027, Luka Lukich
Plummy Carter, class of 2027, Osip
Sarah Haskell, class of 2027, Ammos
Willa Hollinger, class of 2027, Doctor/Mishka
🎭 Crew
Bina Lee, class of 2025, Hair & Makeup
Mads Muller, class of 2025, Calling
Zhenyun Gerstl, class of 2026, Lighting
Annelise Ewy, class of 2026, Backstage Assistant
Camille Veron, class of 2026, Scheduler
Carey Klopfenstein, class of 2026, Propsmaster/Costumes
Madeline Nobert, class of 2026, Sound
Lily Hauck, class of 2026, Backstage Manager/Makeup
Sam Ritter, class of 2027, Photography/Videography
Sophonisba Franecki, class of 2026, Usher
🎭 Special thanks to:
- Maddy Brosius, Mads Muller, Mairead O’Shea, Arlowe Willingham, Sunny Lucal, & AJ Wallihan, SPT executive board
- Logan Griffin, storage management & lights guy
- Grace Reed Richardson & Annika Bergstrom, costume design
- Sylvan Miles, lighting design and technical support
- Bina Lee and Nicole Cavalieri, publicity
- Arlowe Willingham, blood specialist
- Amy Radbill, Kat Larsen, and Justin McDaniel, equipment, knowledge, and support
- Meghan Tarpey & Sophonisba Franecki, Revue & Readings Heads
- The Cast, Crew, & Pro-Team of Macbeth
- The Cast, Crew, & Directors of Spring 2024 Revue
- The SPT alumni
- Bryn Mawr Russian Department
- Bryn Mawr College Mailroom
- Bryn Mawr College Housekeeping
- Uncommon Grounds
- The Residents of Rhoads
- Deer Abby, emotional support
- Celsius Energy Drinks
- The Council of Wizards
The Songs used throughout the performance are Copyright Free and as listed: Diplomat Motel - Lemon Knife, Owe You! The Midnight Mansion, Surface Tension, Modern Mansion, Wake up, Max - Synthet, He Carries a Heavy Load - Midnight Commando, Megahit 3000 - Midnight Commando, 6026 Xenophanes - Midnight Commando