The Nevada Sagebrush

Cameron Miller-DeSart and Cassandra Ambe star as Larry and Alice in the Martis Theatre Company’s inaugural production of “Closer,” a play written by Patrick Marber. “Closer” opens tonight at the Laxalt Auditorium. Garrett Valenzuela/Nevada Sagebrush

When James Schlauch graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in theater last semester, he decided he could best put his studies to use by opening a new student-driven theater company in Reno.

Tonight, the Martis Theatre Company opens its inaugural production. The play is Patrick Marber’s “Closer,” a story of tumultuous love that pushes the boundaries on sexuality and romance.

“‘Closer’ has been a career-long dream,” Schlauch said. “I’ve been applying to direct it for three years now. It was the first script that I read in the theater department on my own, and I absolutely fell in love with the idea. It’s a play about love and hate, and trust and distrust, and the duality of relationships on both ends of the spectrum — the good and the bad.”

Many members of the cast and crew were familiar with the material and therefore anxious to work on the play, Schlauch said. A film adaptation of the play, starring Natalie Portman and Jude Law, was released in 2004.

“I’d seen the film, and I really like the film,” said Cameron Miller-DeSart, a 21-year-old journalism major who plays Larry in “Closer.” “It was really powerful and just fantastically depressing. It was a really great film, but we’re doing it justice by performing it because every single person in the show is just going above and beyond. They’re really making it come to life in a really fantastic way.”

Melissa Ortiz, a 22-year-old theater student, plays Anna in “Closer.” The play has been one of her favorites for a long time because of its unconventional subject matter.

“It’s material you don’t get to do a lot as an actor,” Ortiz said. “It’s very gritty and raw, and it’s very nice to get an opportunity to do something with this much emotional depth. Everything completes itself. The whole play comes full-circle, and that’s interesting to me. And it doesn’t end happily. It’s more realistic.”

The significance of the play’s opening night is not a coincidence, according to cast members.

“We’re opening it up on Valentine’s Day, which is definitely an anti-Valentine’s Day kind of thing,” said JJ von Nolde, a 23-year-old theater student who plays Dan in “Closer.” “The audience will go on a ride where it explores a lot of different aspects of a lot of different relationships, and it doesn’t always turn out the best. Love isn’t simple. It takes work.”

Schlauch plans to continue opening plays on holidays. His next endeavor will be “Art” by Yasmina Reza, a comedy that will open on April Fool’s Day.

Although the Martis Theatre Company welcomes other members of the community, the ultimate goal is to provide an opportunity for younger people, including actors and directors, to gain experience in the world of theater.

“It would benefit students at UNR to get their foot in the door for professional theater,” Schlauch said. “The primary vision of this theater company is to give students who may not be able to have any experience to use this as a gateway.”

Schlauch has been involved in a number of small productions around Reno throughout the years, but “Closer” most accurately represents his true vision for theater, he said. He aspires to one day have his own theater space and contribute to the local scene by presenting more thought-provoking productions.

“I think he’s not afraid to do shows that are adult,” Miller-DeSart said. “I mean that in the most complimentary way — he’s not afraid to do pretty risqué shows and be proud of them and make them classy and pretty and dark. Whereas a lot of people would make them really graphic and tawdry, or they would change the script, making it lighter or fluffier for a more general audience.”

What: “Closer” by Patrick Marber

Where: Laxalt Auditorium

401 W. Second St.

When: 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $10 for general admission, $7 for students and seniors and $10 per couple on Valentine’s Day only.

Casey O’Lear can be reached at colear@nevadasagebrush.com.

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