Classical drama: themes, history, and major works

Mother-in-Law

The Roman play Hecyra is a comedy of errors that did bomb in its first two showings and could easily bomb again if it does not have the right mix of stage direction and acting. The actors must be able to have a very subtle comedic style, not playing any role with too much zaniness or spoof. There is a fine line between being credible and too hard to believe.

There are four main characters: The newly weds, Pamphilus and Philumena, the mother (mother-in-law) Myrrina, and mistress Bacchio. In addition to being a little young, naive and ditzy, Pamphilus, Philumena and Bacchis have to look (the part) as if they could have a Latin background. The mother-in-law must be pleasant yet proud. She is not a dislikable character -- after all, she is not really the reason for the split of the newly weds. All four characters (even the mother-in-law) have to be relatively young, since marriages were made at a young age in Ancient Rome.

Seventeen-year-old Alexa Vega could play the role of Philumena, because she has an interesting mix of cute young girl and yet young woman bloom. She is an up-and-coming actress who, in her acting career (since she was four years old), has played adventure, comedy and drama. In addition to the "Spy Kids" series, she starred in the TV movie "Odd Girl Out." She has been hired to do a major role in HBO's "Walkout," so must have impressed this studio enough with her acting ability. Earlier, she starred in the independent film "State's Evidence" as well as "Sleepover" for MGM. Her other feature film credits include "Deep End of the Ocean," starring stars such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams and Whoopi Goldberg; "Ghosts of Mississippi," directed by Rob Reiner; "The Glimmer Man," starring Steven Seagal and Keenen Ivory Wayans; and "Twister," starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton.

Although he has not had such a long and varied acting career as Alexa Vega -- starring primarily as Marco on the TV Drama "Degrassi" and in theater and commercials rather than film -- Adama Ruggiero could play Pamphilus or the Romeo of the play Hecyra. He has the good-badboy looks that could attract two women at the same time. He also would not look bad in a toga, unlike other male actors. The Canadian actor, born in 1986, has a strong following. Despite the fact that he is not gay in real life, he has tackled this tough role on "Degrassi" and is pulling it off quite well. It's a controversial part that has to be played just right.

Although somewhat older, which is understandable considering she is the mistress Bacchis, America Ferrera has the exotic looks that would attract someone young and naive as Pamphilus. She has been playing a variety of roles since she was eight years old and recently starred in "Real Women Have Curves," "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and the action drama "Lords of Dogtown" about the Z-boy skateboarders. A critic said of her role in "Real Women Have Curves": "The subtly sensual Ferrera lends this character a lot of depth and dimension. She's highly intelligent, more worldly than her age or circumstance would indicate, and sweet but cautiously cynical -- especially when it comes to her overbearingly obstinate mom, who scolds Ana over her weight even though she's in such bad shape herself that she can't waddle half a block without getting winded."

The mother-in-law cannot be too old, considering the age of her son. Isabella Rossellini is a beautiful and versatile actress, who has played a number of broad roles from drama, to love to comedy. "Big Night" is a wonderful movie that is a combination of wit and drama, laughter and tears. The reason for her beauty and talent -- she is the daughter of Ingid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. Her modeling career began when she was photographed for the Vogue magazines. She has worked with many renown photographers, including Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz. Her image has appeared on such magazines as Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, and Vanity Fair.

Terrence wrote this comedy in 165 B.C. It was the second comedy performed by him and perhaps the most criticized by the audience, who prevented its performance for several years. The mother in law is not jealous and hostile as mother-in-law generally are (such as the recent movie "Monster-in-Law" with Jane Fonda), but she does her best to reconcile the married couple.