Department of Theatre and Dance announces 2008-2009 season
The University of Richmond’s Department of Theatre and Dance announces its 2008-2009 season, which begins on October 17 with the department’s first performance of The Humpbacked Horse. All on-campus performances take place in the Modlin Center for the Arts’ Alice Jepson Theatre. Off-campus venues are noted. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Modlin Center at (804) 289-8980 unless otherwise noted.
The Humpbacked Horse
Friday, October 17, 2008 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 2 p.m.
Empire Theatre, Theatre IV
The Department of Theatre and Dance, the Modlin Center for the Arts and Richmond’s Theatre IV present the critically acclaimed and world-renowned Saratov Academic Youth Theatre in its American debut. The company, the world’s oldest theatre committed to plays for young audiences, will present two of the most celebrated productions from its permanent repertoire. The theatre’s unique performance style, combining elements of commedia dell-arte, music and dance, is well served by the two wonderful plays that will be performed in Russian with English surtitles. Any potential language barriers are easily overcome by the visually stimulated production values and the virtuosity of the performances.
At Theatre IV’s Empire Theatre, the company will perform its own adaptation of the famed Russian folktale The Humpbacked Horse. This classic Russian fable has been translated into numerous languages, was the inspiration for the famed Bolshoi Ballet production of the same title and was the source for an award-winning English adaptation by author Elizabeth Mahoney Winthrop. The Humpbacked Horse tells of the adventures of Ivan, a young peasant who, through kindness and the help of his faithful and magical “humpbacked horse,” accomplishes the impossible by capturing numerous magical beasts, winning the love of the beautiful Tsarina and finally becoming the Tsar of all Russia. This captivating story has entertained youth of all ages, while the ballet version has been performed around the world.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call (804) 344-8040 or visit Theatre IV’s Web site.
Uncle’s Dream
By Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Alice Jepson Theatre
At the Modlin Center, the Saratov Academic Youth Theatre will perform its adaption of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s famous comic novella, Uncle’s Dream, for older audiences. In this play, Dostoyevsky satirizes the attitudes and manners of provincial ne’er-do-wells while entertaining audiences with a farcical plot and zany characters. Although Dostoyevsky is not typically known for his comedies, this lively adaptation of his story about a social climbing mother who tries to arrange a marriage for her beautiful daughter to a very rich old man proves Dostoyevsky a master of rich satire and broad farcical humor. Of course, the mother’s plans are thwarted by her daughter’s true love who convinces the old man, his uncle, that the marriage proposal was all a bad dream.
The Skin of Our Teeth
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Dorothy Holland
Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 21, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Alice Jepson Theatre
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Skin of our Teeth is the satiric story of the extraordinary Antrobus family through the ages. This family has survived flood, fire, pestilence, the ice age, a dozen wars and as many depressions. Ultimately bewitched, befuddled and becalmed, they are the stuff of which heroes and buffoons are made. Their survival is a wacky testament of faith in humanity. The New York Herald Tribune calls it “wonderfully wise…A tremendously exciting and profound stage fable.” This production will feature Equity Artists-in-Residence Irene Ziegler and Joe Inscoe in the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus.
“Imagine”
University Dancers Annual Spring Concert
Celebrating 24 Years
Directed by Myra Steinberg Daleng
Friday, February 27, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 2 p.m.
Alice Jepson Theatre
Let your imagination soar as the University Dancers celebrate 24 years of dance. Be captivated with the imaginative use of movement, music and lights when you see this company of young, inspired dancers with talent, discipline, excitement and a passionate commitment to dance. Form mental images as you watch innovative repertory that blends ballet, modern, jazz and tap in a concert that will be sure to delight the senses. This year’s performances will showcase choreography with live music by the Grammy Award-winning ensemble eighth blackbird. Internationally renowned choreographer Robert Battle returns for the fourth year to create a dynamic new work. The performances also feature premiers by director of dance Myra Daleng and assistant director of dance Anne Van Gelder. This is a concert for all ages and an opportunity to be moved by the dance!
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
Directed by Walter Schoen
Choreographed by Myra Daleng
Musical direction by Jeffrey Riehl
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Alice Jepson Theatre
This Broadway classic chronicles the meteoric rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who starts out as a window washer and winds up in the executive suite, all with the help of a less-than-scrupulous “how-to” book. In the wacky corporate headquarters of the World Wide Wicket Corporation, we meet a host of memorable characters that includes the company president, who is a closet knitter and devoted Groundhog alum from Old Ivy College; a curvaceous secretary whose typing speed of 12 words per minutes almost matches her IQ; and the president’s scheming nephew, who knows the fastest way to make it to the top is to spy on his uncle. We are still humming the songs that audiences of the original production enjoyed years ago and that contemporary theatre-goers applauded in the award-winning revival starring Matthew Broderick. These songs, such as “I Believe in You” and “The Brotherhood of Man,” are still capable of setting toes tapping while making us smile at their comic twists and satirical turns. How to Succeed is a fun-filled look at corporate life, as enjoyable and meaningful in today’s world of multi-national corporation as it was originally in the age of the “corporate man.”
About the Actor’s Equity Artist-in-Residence Program
Each academic year, the Department of Theatre and Dance appoints at least two members of the Actors’ Equity Association, a union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States, as Artists-in-Residence. In addition to teaching basic acting courses, the Equity Artists-in-Residence play roles in mainstage productions and may teach courses in their area of specialty, such as acting for film, stage combat or period styles. The close interaction between students and professionals creates a dynamic exchange of knowledge and experience between master teacher and aspiring artist.
Additional Events
In addition to mainstage season offerings, the Department of Theatre and Dance produces a variety of studio events that are often free and open to the public. While these change from year to year, they may include workshops of upcoming mainstage projects, student-produced and in-class productions, thesis productions and various choreography and dance showcases. For further information about upcoming events, please contact the Modlin Box Office at (804) 289-8980.
Posted August 28, 2008