CSU professor and former student star in political satire Margin of Error
CSU Professor of Theater Michael Mauldin has played a wide range of characters in his long acting career, including most notably his popular run as Mark Twain. However, few roles are as timely, or as fun to play, as political consultant Harold Carver in the Ensemble Theatre’s production of Margin of Error (or, the Unassailable Wisdom of the Mouse and the Scorpion).
Written by the Emmy-nominated playwright Eric Coble, the production follows Carver as he juggles multiple campaigns during a blizzard at the Cleveland Hopkins Airport, while teaching his young protégé, Daphne Anderson, how politics and elections really work. Anderson is played by Mauldin’s former student Mary-Francis Miller.
“Carver is an opportunistic, devious realist and seeks to teach Daphne that politics is not about ideas or policy it is about winning, at any cost,” Mauldin says. “And while the play is a satire, the themes it presents are extremely important given the contentious presidential election and repeated calls for more civility and honesty in politics and government.”
And while Carver’s mentoring of Daphne errs toward the dark side, Mauldin relished the opportunity to work with Miller, whom he taught in multiple courses and directed in student productions during her tenure at CSU.
“Mary-Francis is an incredible actress and I was honored to have the opportunity to work with her again,” Mauldin adds.
Miller was starring as Arial in the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Tempest last year when during a break in rehearsals Ensemble Theater artistic director Celeste Cosentino told her about the new production.
“Celeste stopped me and said ‘I have got a role for you!’ Thankfully she was right,” Miller says. “Margin of Error really resonates with me given all of the social and political upheaval we are experiencing.”
Miller notes that the play is very Shakespearean in tone with a mad tyrant, Carver, attempting to control everything, while Daphne tries to serve as a moral compass and voice of reason.
“There are a lot of similarities between Daphne and Harold’s relationship and that between Ariel and Prospero in The Tempest,” Miller says. “Daphne knows right from wrong and eventually attempts to show Carver the error of his ways, but it does not work out the way she hopes.”
The Ensemble Theater production ran from September 30 to October 23, and both Mauldin and Miller hope to play the characters again in a future production.
Mauldin will next be seen in his 40th anniversary production of An Evening with Mark Twain at the Medina Performing Arts Center in Medina, Ohio, November 18. Meanwhile, Miller will be performing as a backup singer with Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 in 2017.
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
The Scream Tour, traditionally known for its groundbreaking and influential live hip-hop/urban music experience, returns in 2015 with SCREAM NATION: THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR.
Scream Nation
Among the headliners on THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR will be some of today’s hottest new artists including Kid Ink, Jeremih, Dej Loaf and many more. Over the past 15 years, the Scream Tour has featured many…
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
The Scream Tour, traditionally known for its groundbreaking and influential live hip-hop/urban music experience, returns in 2015 with SCREAM NATION: THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR.
Scream Nation
Among the headliners on THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR will be some of today’s hottest new artists including Kid Ink, Jeremih, Dej Loaf and many more. Over the past 15 years, the Scream Tour has featured many…
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
The Scream Tour, traditionally known for its groundbreaking and influential live hip-hop/urban music experience, returns in 2015 with SCREAM NATION: THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR.
Scream Nation
Among the headliners on THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR will be some of today’s hottest new artists including Kid Ink, Jeremih, Dej Loaf and many more. Over the past 15 years, the Scream Tour has featured many…
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
Scream Nation The Reintroduction Tour with Kid Ink & Jeremih
The Scream Tour, traditionally known for its groundbreaking and influential live hip-hop/urban music experience, returns in 2015 with SCREAM NATION: THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR.
Scream Nation
Among the headliners on THE REINTRODUCTION TOUR will be some of today’s hottest new artists including Kid Ink, Jeremih, Dej Loaf and many more. Over the past 15 years, the Scream Tour has featured many…
Bow Wow Gives Career Advice & Talks Potential So So Def 20 Tour
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