Eastern Michigan University Theatre kicks off its season
with the beloved classic, "Romeo & Juliet." The theatre
department is proud to welcome back 1999 EMU alumnus David
Blixt, who will direct this tale of tragedy and love.
"We are very excited for David to come and direct this
play," said Pamela Cardell-Cato, assistant managing director
of EMU Theatre. "He has written a novel that will be coming
out around the time of the play that explains the background
of the feud between the two families in Romeo & Juliet."
Cardell-Cato promises an outstanding season for audiences
with a wide range of opportunities for everyone. When selecting
the schedule, faculty and staff try to choose pieces that
fit together. A musical, a family story and a contemporary
piece are mandatory when determining the schedule in order
to provide a wide range of entertainment for students and
audiences, said Cardell-Cato.
Jeremy Hopgood, the new technical theatre faculty member,
is expected to expand the projection component of EMU's
Theatre Department. Cardell-Cato said the department is
looking forward to the new addition.
 |
ROMANCE: "Romeo and
Juliet" kicks off
EMU
Theatre's season. David
Blixt, an EMU alumnus,
will
direct the performances,
scheduled Oct. 11-12
and
Oct. 16-18. |
Blixt will guest direct "Romeo & Juliet",
Oct. 10-11 and 16-18, 7 p.m., and Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. Romeo
Montague and Juliet Capulet have been kept apart by the
bitter fued between their families. After they quickly
fall in love, they are faced with betraying their families
or living apart. They realize the only way to stay together
is to make the ultimate sacrifice. School matinees will
take place Oct. 14-15 at 10 a.m. All productions will be
at Quirk Theatre.
Set in New Orleans in the 1930s, "Blackwater
Ballad" will be performed Nov. 7-8 at 7 p.m.,
Sponberg Theatre. This ballad recalls the classic story
of Orpheus and Eurydice, set in the bayous of New Orleans
in 1932. Traveling musician Orlandus Duval captures the
heart of Euralie, the daughter of the town's hangman.
Their plans to wed in secret are ruined by betrayal and
murder, forcing Orlandus to make the hardest of choices.
The lyrics and libretto of this staged reading of a new
musical are by Joseph Zettelmaier, with music by Brian
Lillie.
 |
FAIRYTALE COME TO LIFE:
The Hans Christian
Andersen
fairytale, "The Snow Queen",
will be performed
at Quirk
Theatre Nov. 21-23 and Dec.
5-6. |
Based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, "The
Snow Queen" will run Nov. 21, 7 p.m.; Nov.
22-23 and 30, 3 p.m.; Dec. 5, 7 p.m.; and Dec. 6, 3 p.m.
Family audiences will be taken on a magical journey from
Grandma's warm home to the Snow Queen's icy palace. Driven
by her desire to make winter last forever, the Snow Queen
smashes an evil mirror and scatters the shards out into
the world. School matinees will be Dec. 3-4 at 10 a.m.
This production, directed by Wallace Bridges, will be
performed at Quirk Theatre.
Intended for audiences ages 8 and up, "Walking
the Dog" kicks off the 2009 winter season. It
premieres Jan 9, 7 p.m.; and continues Jan. 10, 11 a.m.;
and Jan 10-11, 3 p.m., Sponberg Theatre. Nine-year-old
Meriah is having a hard time with the loss of her dad,
her move to Chicago and her new responsibility to walk
her dad's dog. This gentle play, directed by Christine
Tanner, explores Meriah's journey to overcome her fears
of living life despite last year's changes.
The musical satire, based on the 1936 film written by
Lawrence Meade, Arthur Hoerl and Paul Franklin, "Reefer
Madness" opens with the lecturer's stern warning
that a new drug menace is attacking the country. Jimmy
Harper and Mary Lane are wholesome teens who stumble upon
a local reefer den and its collection of shady characters
in this high-energy musical for mature audiences. Phil
Simmons directs. Performances are scheduled Feb. 6-7 and
12-14, 7 p.m.; and Feb. 8, 3 p.m., Sponberg Theatre.
 |
CLIPPED WINGS: EMU Theatre's
production
of Pulitzer Prize-winner,
"Angels in America: Millennium
Approaches", will be performed next
spring in
Quirk Theatre. |
The Pulitzer-Prize winner for drama, part one of two, "Angels
in America: Millennium Approaches," introduces
audiences to two couples, one gay and one straight. Chance
meetings and shared dreams bring the couples together
and their lives are wrapped around hidden secrets and
fears. AIDS, addiction, homosexuality and the "great
work" of a mysterious angel are woven throughout this
piece for mature audiences. Pirooz Aghssa directs.
Performances are scheduled March 20-21 and April 2, 7
p.m.; March 22 and 29, 3 p.m.; and March 28, 2 p.m.,
Quirk Theatre.
Part two of Angels in America and Tony Award Winner for
best play, "Perestroika", continues
the twists and turns in the lives of the two couples. Anger,
bitterness, compassion and loss fuel the entangled companions
as they search for heaven, healing and a life they were
meant to live as the "great work" continues on. This play,
directed by Lee Stille, is intended for mature audiences.
Performances are scheduled March 26-28 and April 3-4, 7
p.m.; and April 5, 3 p.m., Quirk Theatre.
 |
STORYBOOK WALK: Favorite
storybook characters
come
to life in "Into the Woods",
an EMU Theatre production
scheduled in
May 2009 in
Sponberg Theatre.
|
In this play appropriate for ages 8 and up, "Into
the Woods" has all the storybook characters
come together for a walk into happily ever after and
beyond. Family characters will venture into unfamiliar
terrain into the woods on a journey of discovery, danger
and delight. Ken Stevens directs. Performances are scheduled
May 29-30 and June 4-6, 7 p.m.; and May 31, 3 p.m., Sponberg
Theatre.
Fall season open auditions are scheduled Thursday, Sept.
4, 6-9 p.m.; and Friday, Sept. 5, 3-5 p.m., Quirk Theatre.
Callbacks are scheduled Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 2
p.m. If interested in working on a crew, stop by at any
of these times to fill out a crew interest form. Auditions
and crew calls are open to any currently enrolled EMU student
in good academic standing.
For more information about any of the performances or
schedules, go to www.emich.edu/public/cta/ted or
call 487-1220. For ticket information, call the EMU box
office at 487-2282.
