Posted: Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre, one of the premier undergraduate theatre programs in the nation, has announced its 2013-14 season of performances in Shanklin Theatre.

The season opens September 27 with Clybourne Park, written by Bruce Norris and directed by John David Lutz. Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, this razor-sharp comedy explores the fertile ground of race and real estate in America. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. September 27, 28, October 3, 4, and 5 and at 2 p.m. September 29 and October 6.

This year’s musical is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, from an adaptation by Christopher Bond. The show will be directed by R. Scott Lank with musical direction by Gregory B. Rike. Winner of eight 1979 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score, this musical thriller follows the antics of the legendary barber, hell-bent on revenge, and his creepily enterprising neighbor, as they hauntingly plot to slice through London’s upper crust. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. November 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23, and at 2 p.m. November 17 and 24.

The spring semester opens with Compleat Female Stage Beauty by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by R. Scott Lank. Set in a lush period of British history teeming with bawdiness and social intrigue, Kynaston, the most famous portrayer of female roles, plots his revenge after his career is ruined by the King’s decree allowing women to act on the stage. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. February 21, 22, 27, 28, and March 1, and at 2 p.m. February 23 and March 2.

The season concludes with William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, directed by guest artist Curt Tofteland. Moving between the wickedness of the royal court and the revivifying forest of Arden, Rosalind and Orlando play out their sweeping and romantic courtship against a backdrop of political rivalry and exile. Guest director Curt Tofteland served as the producing artistic director of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival for 20 years and is the founder and producing artistic director of Shakespeare Behind Bars. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. April 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, and at 2 p.m. April 6 and 13.

Season subscriptions are $44; $38 discount subscriptions are available for senior adults, UE faculty and staff, and any student. For more information, contact Sharla Cowden, UET marketing director, at 812-488-2747 or theatre (at) evansville (dot) edu.

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