By Matthew Meyer (October 31, 2003)

As soon as the fall play Murder on the Nile was finished, the George Mason Players and their director Frank Marino set full focus on their next play for the Virginia Theater Association (VTA) competition. VTA is a competition in which Virginia high school drama departments come to compete against other schools. Each school puts on a play, usually a one-act, because the performance, including stage set-up and take down, must be accomplished in under 35 minutes. George Mason will be performing Beggars Opera by John Gay..

This play is about a band of lawless urban vagabonds who live a life of wine, women, men, and song, and still find time to observe catty fisticuffs. The show is performed in a Commedia De’l Arte or overly animated fashion.

The cast includes Matt Andrews, Dan Burkey, Katie Bernhart, Greg Corbino, Katie Gordon, Christina Huepel, Zoe Jones, Todd Johnston, Matthew Meyer, Toby Nelson, Andy Parker, Claire Smalley, Anya Soloveivia, Sarah Synder, and Annie Waunland. 

The Beggars will make their way to Reston Town Center this Saturday and leave Sunday afternoon.