‘The Emperor of the Moon: A Farce’ showcases physical comedy, shares messages of love, longing, trickery

LAWRENCE — Sci-fi meets commedia dell’arte in “The Emperor of the Moon: A Farce” by Restoration playwright Aphra Behn at the University Theatre this fall.  

Though published in 1687, the play is relevant in the modern era with its commentary on pseudoscience, socioeconomic issues and female empowerment. Audiences may delight in the clowning, love story and actors breaking the fourth wall with witty asides. 

KU’s version of “The Emperor of the Moon” has been edited by director Gillian Genardo, doctoral student in theatre and performance studies, as part of her coursework in the Department of Theatre & Dance. She has updated the setting to the 1950s. 

Performances are 7 p.m. Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 3-5 and 2 p.m. Nov. 1 in the William Inge Memorial Theatre at Murphy Hall. Tickets to “The Emperor of the Moon” can be purchased via the show’s webpage, in person noon-5 p.m. at the box office in Murphy Hall or by calling 785-864-3982. 

“The Emperor of the Moon” is Behn’s second most successful play behind her earlier text, “The Rover.” A display about Behn and the history of women writers in the science fiction genre will be available in the hallway leading to the theatre. 

Patrons can also attend a pre-show talk with Jane Barnette, head of dramaturgy and professor in theatre & dance, and Misty Schieberle and Sarah Van der Laan, faculty members in the Department of English, at 6 p.m. in 341 Murphy Hall prior to the Nov. 4 performance. The talk will be moderated by Cecelia Hart, the play’s dramaturg and doctoral student in literature. A Q&A with the director and performers will follow that same performance in the Inge Theatre.

“’The Emperor of the Moon’ is a funny, fast-paced and wonderfully strange piece. It’s a Restoration farce that draws from the commedia dell’arte tradition and is incredibly comical,” Genardo said. “At the same time, it also asks us to deeply consider our understanding of authority — who gets to tell the truth, how do we know that we can believe them and what do we do when we can’t?

“Its intelligent and daring female characters suggest that female agency can only truly be won by questioning and subverting patriarchal authority,” Genardo added. “This play is both thought-provoking and funny, entertaining and educational. And though it was written almost 340 years ago, it distinctly reflects the same sort of questions we continue to ask about agency and authority today.”

The creative team is rounded out by Jordan Malone, master of fine arts in scenography student, freelance designer and technician, and technical director/production manager for Johnson County Community College, as scenic designer; Katie Cooley, master of fine arts in scenography student, as costume designer; Laney Jasper, senior in theatre design from Richardson, Texas, as lighting designer; Kaitlyn Chang, sophomore in theatre design from Wichita, as hair and makeup designer; Abigail Dearing, master of fine arts in scenography student, as sound designer; and Lara Strother, junior in theatre design from Manhattan, as stage manager. 

The cast members are Colton Fieger, sophomore in theatre performance and environmental studies from Overland Park, as Doctor Baliardo; Sophia Shuford, sophomore in history and government education from Denver, as Elaria; Mallory Pyka, sophomore in theatre performance from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, as Bellemante; Ian Maxfield, sophomore in theatre performance from St. Charles, Illinois, as Cinthio; Sean W. Smith, sophomore in film & media studies from Littleton, Colorado, as Charmante; Kitty Corum, doctoral student in theatre and performance, as Scaramouch; Cade Nelson, junior in theatre and applied behavioral science from Topeka, as Harlequin; Olivia Cairns, senior in secondary English education from Lenexa, as Mopsophil; and Willow Graves, sophomore in history from Manhattan, as Florinda/Kepler. Understudies are Aaron Daniel Lane, freshman in theatre from Topeka, for Doctor Baliardo, Cinthio and Charmante; Belaye Turner, junior in theatre from Overland Park, for Scaramouch, Harlequin and Mopsophil; and Caroline Williams, freshman in music therapy from La Vista, Nebraska, for Elaria, Bellemante, Florinda and Kepler.

Genardo, from Mokena, Illinois, received a bachelor's degree in theatre from Millikin University in 2022. She received her master's degree in theatre studies from Illinois State University in 2024. She was the recipient of the Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship (KU, 2025), the Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding New GTA Award (KU, 2025) and the New Theatre William and Penny Gamm Scholarship (KU, 2026). Artistically, Genardo works both as a director and a dramaturg. Most recently, she directed “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead at Pipe Dreams Studio” (2022). At KU, she's assistant directed and worked as dramaturg for “Silent Sky” (2025) and worked as the dramaturg on “Hookman” (2024).

The University Theatre is a production wing of the Department of Theatre & Dance, offering public productions during the academic year. 

Established in 1923, the Department of Theatre merged with the Department of Dance in 2018. The University Theatre season is funded in part by Student Senate fees. Additional support is provided by Truity Credit Union.  

KU Theatre & Dance is one of three departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.