Cal State Fullerton Theatre And Dance

Ten Shows In the 2008-2009 Season

September 9, 2008 :: No. 028

WHO:

Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State Fullerton

WHAT:

Cal State Fullerton’s 2008-2009 Theatre And Dance Season

WHERE:

Cal State Fullerton Performing Arts Center
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton

SEASON:

The ten show 2008-09 Cal State Fullerton Theatre and Dance season includes “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder; “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare; “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn; “Urinetown The Musical” with music by Mark Hollman, lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and book by Greg Kotis; Fall Dance Theatre; “Moonburn” by Eric Czuleger; “BIG LOVE” by Charles Mee; “Chicago” with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb; “Hay Fever” by Noel Coward; and the Spring Dance Theatre.

“Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder, is a classic of the American Theatre canon. Set in the fictional Grover’s Corners, this play is the story of small-town inhabitants and their lives, particularly that of George Gibbs, a doctor’s son, and Emily Webb, the daughter of a newspaper editor. Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1938, “Our Town” masterfully portrays life from youth to old age, from the happiest apex of life’s experiences to the lowest and darkest of days. Directed by Dean Hess, “Our Town” will be performed in the Hallberg Theatre, Oct. 3-19.

“As You Like It” is Shakespeare’s rowdy, romantic comedy featuring comic disguise, tangled love and such immortal characters as Rosalind, Orlando, Touchstone and the melancholy Jaques. “As You Like It” will be directed by Cal State Fullerton graduate student Kevin Slay and will be a featured production at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Cal State Fullerton is only the third university in America selected by the education wing of the Kennedy Center to produce in their Shakespeare program. At CSUF, “As You Like it” will be performed in the Young Theatre, Oct. 17-Nov. 2.

Michael Frayn’s outrageous comedy, “Noises Off,” details the shenanigans of an acting company touring the English provinces with a dreadful comedy titled “Nothing On.” This play shows not only what’s happening onstage, but also what messes are occurring on the other side of the curtain. An overwhelming success in New York and London, New York Magazine called it, “As side-splitting a farce as I have ever seen. Ever? Ever.” Directed by Joseph Arnold, “Noises Off” will be performed in the Little Theatre, Oct. 24-Nov. 9.

“Urinetown the Musical,” with music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis, and book by Greg Kotis, is the satirical tale of a city in the future, where a severe water shortage has led to the ban of private toilets. A giant corporation, the Urine Good Company, has the power and charges for all toilet services —but hero Bobby Strong will do his best to stop the proposed rate hike! This funny, intelligent satire won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. Directed by Eve Himmellheber, with musical direction by Mitchell Hanlon, “Urinetown the Musical” will be performed in the Young Theatre, Nov. 14-Dec. 7.

Fall Dance Theatre, coordinated by Gladys Kares, will be performed in the LITTLE THEATRE, Nov. 20-Dec. 7.

“Moonburn,” by Eric Czuleger, is an intimate family drama, that tells the story of Mark Caulder, son of famed author Lucy Caulder, who returns home after seven years of estrangement to see his dying mother. Having recently published a sensationalist exposé of his abusive childhood with his mother, Mark is desperate for atonement. Focusing on trust, making mistakes and forgiveness, “Moonburn” will be directed by Joe Arnold, and is set to perform in the Hallberg Theatre, Feb. 27-March 15, 2009.

Charles Mee’s explosive play, “Big Love,” is not for the faint of heart. Based on the ancient Greek play, “The Suppliant Women,” “Big Love” is an updated version, where 50 brides are forced into marriage with 50 grooms. When they rebel, the consequences are on a grand, bloody scale. With pop songs, philosophy, violence and poetry, Mee’s play is contemporary and timeless. Directed by James R. Taulli, “Big Love” is set to perform in the Young Theatre, March 13-28, 2009. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.

“Chicago,” with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, won six Tony Awards in 1996 for Best Musical Revival, among others, and holds the record for the longest-running revival on Broadway. In this vaudevillian-based show, the criminals are the stars, with Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly on trial for the murder of their husbands. Featuring jazzy, sexy music and dance, “Chicago” will be directed by Eve Himmelheber, and is set to perform in the Little Theatre, March 27-April 18, 2009. A College of the Arts Production. FOR MATURE AUDIENCES.

“Hay Fever,” by the legendary Noel Coward, is often considered a comedy of bad manners. Judith Bliss, legendary stage actress, has recently retired. In order to relieve her boredom, she invites a young admirer to her country home for a weekend — only to find that her husband, son and daughter are all entertaining guests there too. The dysfunctional and self-obsessed Bliss family find themselves at odds in this clever comedy, which is in the renowned Coward style. Guest directed by Paul Barnes, “Hay Fever” will perform in the Young Theatre, April 17-May 3, 2009.

Spring Dance Theatre, coordinated by Gladys Kares, will be performed in the Little Theatre, May 7-17, 2009.

ADMISSION:

Subscriptions for the Theatre and Dance season at California State University, Fullerton, are available now. Subscriptions range from $52 to $103. Single tickets range from $9 to $20, but aren’t available until two weeks before each show. Many performances sell out.

The FlexTix subscription offers 6, 10 or 12 redeemable credits, to use all at once or one-at-a-time. Patrons can create their own unique season with the “paperless” FlexTix credits.

BOX OFFICE:

For a brochure or tickets, please call the CSUF Performing Arts Center Box Office at 657-278-3371. The Box Office is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets also are available on the internet at www.tickets.com.

Questions? Call CSUF at 657-278-3371 or email us at pacboxoffice@fullerton.edu. Or check out the Website at www.fullerton.edu/arts/events.

2008-2009 CALENDAR:

http://www.fullerton.edu/arts/events/seasonpg.html

WEBSITE:

http://www.fullerton.edu/arts/events/

Media Contact:
Jim Volz, Department of Theatre and Dance, jvolz@fullerton.edu or 657-278-3538

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