THE GRADUATE IS ‘STILL RELATABLE’
Morpheus Theatre version expands relationships and underlines the story’s humorous elements
For Leanne Million, playing Mrs. Robinson in Morpheus Theatre’s version of The Graduate is quite a stretch.
“Mrs. Robinson is a vampy narcissist. Her confidence level is monolithic. I am so much the opposite. I’m a big goofball. She also has an agenda and is always very purposeful, whereas I’m very impulsive,” says Million, who actually enjoys sliding into Mrs. Robinson’s skin.
“When I get into her mindset, I actually begin to feel in control of every situation.”
There will be no nudity in Morpheus’s version of The Graduate although the main character’s seduction of her daughter’s boyfriend, Benjamin Braddock, does require a skimpy outfit.
“I struggle with my body image so putting myself up there on stage with very little on is a big stretch for me. It’s been a major challenge that I had to deal with from the moment I accepted the role,” says Million.
“I let them know I would not do nudity and director Danelle White assured me that would not be an issue.
“This is not fringe theatre, which means the Morpheus audiences will be just as grateful as I am that there is no nudity.”
Million says she first saw The Graduate on television when she was about 10 years old.
“I was a scandalized child. Of course, I didn’t understand the film and especially not the humour which is such an important element of it.”
When Million was studying film at the University of Calgary she wrote a paper on The Graduate.
“I wanted a film that was a bit racy for its time and I wanted to explore why The Graduate has become such an iconic film.”
She discovered “people in the 1960s, and especially young men, identified with Benjamin. He was a young man who was really lost and seeking comfort and acceptance. He is not satisfied with his affair with Mrs. Robinson. He learned that fantasy is always better than reality. That’s why he keeps searching.
“I think Benjamin and his predicament are still relatable today. Many young people feel just as disillusioned and fed up as Benjamin.”
Million says the stage version of The Graduate “is much more overt with its humour. It’s such a fun experience. The play also fills in a few of the relationships the film skipped over.”
Oderin Tobin plays Mrs. Robinson’s boy toy Benjamin and Alex Watz is her daughter Elaine.
Also in the cast are Adam Jamieson, Brent Lowenberg, Tamara Wilson, Victoria Pilot and Jon Martin.