Viterbo University Experiences "Failure"
At the tail end of the coldest month of the year, hearts all across the La Crosse community were warmed by the whimsical yet bereaving tale of “Failure: A Love Story.” The production, though unique in itself, was designed, built, and brought to life by students of Viterbo University.
This brilliant experience of comedy and musicality took place the first two weekends of February; already audience members have declared it one of the greatest productions presented by Viterbo.
“Every second of this show is entertaining,” stated chorus member and puppeteer Audrey Accardo, sophomore music theatre major. “You will willingly give your heart to each of these characters and they will crush it before your eyes.”
“Failure: A Love Story,” for those not fortunate to attend, narrates the limited lives of the three “Fail sisters” all of whom are fated to die three tragic deaths; but not before falling in love with their very unlucky lover, Mortimer Mortimer.
One sister, Nelly Fail, played by Natalie Davies, sophomore music theatre major, said this story “speaks beautifully of love, death, grief, and humanity as a whole, and everyone can relate to it.”
The success of “Failure” stems from the student and faculty collaboration, which has not yet been seen to this extent at Viterbo. Cast, crew, design team, and director Erin Jerozal met each week, months before the opening of “Failure” to build the show together.
This process, expressed fully in a class setting, collectively planned the seen aspects of a production: set, costumes, props, and lighting, as well as the unseen: music arrangement, soundscape, dramaturgy, and marketing.
Braden Taylor, a sophomore music theatre major who played John N., stated his favorite thing about the show was “The Collaboration! It always felt like our ideas were heard, and we could all work together to create this beautiful show.”
Very interesting to most members of the production was the experimental process of creating the moments of the show such as the death scenes, puppet choreography, and clock sounds.
Eldest Fail sister, Gerty Fail, played by Katie Bean, senior music theatre major, stated, “[the collaborative process] made the show feel like it was ours.” This was a remark shared by all members of the production.
Most people agree that “Failure: A Love Story” was a work of art. The script, a poetic masterpiece by Philip Dawkins, was given life and love by students and faculty alike to become equally loved by those flocking to see it. Similar to the story itself, the show was fated to close eventually, but it leaves a legacy of love, through collaboration, that is certain to be modeled after by productions soon to follow.