"The measure of a Life is its Service."
SHSU’s department of theatre and dance will present a week of productions as part of the “Summer I Repertory Theatre” beginning tonight in the University Theatre Center Showcase Theater.
All four shows will begin at 8 p.m.
A comic masterpiece about gender, identity and power, William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” will be performed tonight and tomorrow (June 29-30).
In the Don Nigro rendition, the story is set in the present with an inept acting troupe, run by a curate performing the play.
“Eventually the six actors in the troupe are required to perform all 33 roles due to defection by several of the actors,” said theatre manager Kandice Harris. “The result is a fresh look at an old comedy.”
The cast consists of Michael Keeney (curate), Darin Montemayor (Celia), Zach Lewis (Amiens), Amanda Neely (Audrey), Angela Bell (Rosalind), Carlos Salinas (William), and Mark Ivy (the clown).
The show is directed by senior theatre major Ashtyn Sonner and the stage manager is senior theatre major Veronica Lacombe. The lighting designer is Carolyn Barton.
Wednesday and Thursday (July 1-2), the department will present the story of Hannah, an Episcopalian minister and Bible scholar, who hires Brandt, an up and coming writer, to help her develop her new book, a full translation of a new gospel.
Brandt’s father was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and he needs to find something to help keep his mind off this crisis, but everything changes when Hannah’s prodigal son, Thomas, arrives, and all three characters begin to struggle to discover what the basic tenets of their faith.
“The Busy World is Hushed” stars Sofia Mendez as “Hannah,” Michael McClure as Brandt, and Garret Storms as Thomas.
The production is directed by senior musical theatre major Mitchell Greco, the stage manager is senior theatre major Veronica LaCombe, and the lighting designer is Carolyn Barton.
“Almost, Maine,” performed Friday and Sunday, will visit the mythical town by the same name on a cold Friday night, during which residents are finding themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often whimsical ways.
Through 10 vignettes, knees are bruised and hearts are broken (literally), but the bruises heal and the hearts mend—almost.
“These stories look at the mysteries of the human heart, and the journey from heartbreak to hope,” Harris said.
The cast includes Adrian Coco Anderson, John Ryan DelBosque, Krissy Larson, Zach Lewis, Sofia Mendez, Jordan Muller, Adina Nelson, Jarell Rochelle and James Smith.
The production is directed by senior musical theatre major Dana Carlson, the stage manager is theater major Joey Wooden, and the lighting designer is Carolyn Barton.
Finally, the “Summer I Repertory Theatre” performances will close on Monday and Tuesday (July 6-7) with a musical revue that transports the audience through time and space while exploring the “one moment when you think you know where you stand” but then life changes and the world becomes new again.
“Songs For A New World,” a four-person musical, uses a contemporary sound to illustrate the stories and timelessness of the human dilemma.
The cast includes Destinee McGinnis, Monica Brown, Garrett Storms, and Michael McClure.
Directed by theatre and dance department chair Penelope Hasekoester, the musical director is theatre faculty member Laura Avery, with accompanist Eric Gunderson. The choreographer is Jonathan Charles.
The stage manager is senior theatre major Krissy Larson, and the lighting designer is senior theatre major Carolyn Barton.
Tickets are $5 at the door. No tickets will be sold prior to the performance dates.
Parking is available behind the Newton Gresham Library. Golf cart services will be available and will pick up patrons in front of the parking garage on Avenue I.
All shows contain adult language and content; therefore, children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.
For more information, call the University Theatre Center Box Office at 936.294.1339.
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SHSU Media Contacts: Jennifer Gauntt
June 29, 2009
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"The measure of a Life is its Service."