Purdue Theatre season to pay tribute to 100 years of productions

"During the last century, thousands of students, faculty, staff and theater lovers have contributed their talent, energy and resources to bring the division to this stage," said Russ Jones, division chair and associate professor of theater. "With the addition of the building's elegant new front plaza, entry doors and convenient parking, we hope many members of the Purdue and local communities join us for this season's offerings."

Jones said one of the season highlights includes the opening production "Seven Guitars," which will be co-presented with the Black Cultural Center beginning Sept. 21. Written by August Wilson, the production is set in 1948 and weaves together the stories of seven African-American friends into a pulsing rhythm of hope, loss, jubilation and despair. The drama will feature Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton, an aspiring blues musician, as he returns home to reclaim his woman and revive his career. Theresa M. Davis from the University of Virginia will serve as the guest director of the production that will run through Oct. 1.

Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" will run Sept. 22 to Oct. 6. Directed by Kristine Holtvedt, associate professor of theater, the satire targets the upper crust of Victorian English society and is considered by many to be Wilde's best work. The comedy follows Algernon Moncrieff and his friend Jack Worthing as they do what they can to manipulate their way through social and familial obligations.

Theater-goers will be able to witness the rise and fall of a tyrant warped by his ruthless ambition for power when "Richard III" is presented Nov. 17 to Dec. 3. The play, one of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedies, follows the embittered Richard as he justifies his murderous path to compensate for the miseries he's endured as a result of his physical deformities. David Demke of the nationally acclaimed Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass., will direct the production.

Don't let the title of "Urinetown: The Musical" scare you away, Jones said. Based in a world where private toilets are banned by the government due to a severe water shortage, this satire is the winner of three Tony Awards and was nominated for 10. Music and lyrics spoof an assortment of popular musicals from "West Side Story" to "Fiddler on the Roof." Visiting instructor Katherine Burke will direct the production that will run from Feb. 16-25.

"Living Out" follows the lives of two working mothers: Nancy, an affluent Beverly Hills attorney, and her nanny Ana, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. Through humor and dialogue, playwright Lisa Loomer explores the economic and ethnic divides of contemporary society. A co-presentation with the Latino Cultural Center, the production will run March 30 to April 7 and will be directed by Anne Fliotsos, associate professor of theater.

"Noises Off" by Michael Frayn will close out the season April 13-21. The play is about a traveling British theater company and its third-rate production of "Nothing On." As the actors struggle to perform, happenings backstage and in their personal lives threaten to bring the show to a screeching halt. Richard Stockton Rand, professor of theater, will direct the production.

Purdue Theatre is inviting alumni back for a reunion on April 14. Alumni will gather for a dinner and an evening performance of "Noises Off." For information on the reunion, call (765) 494-3084 or e-mail theatre@purdue.edu.

Tickets to plays in the Marquee Series, including "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Richard III" and "Noises Off," are $16 for the general public, $9 for students and $12 for seniors 62 and older. Tickets to "Urinetown: The Musical" are $18 for the general public, $12 for students and $15 for seniors 62 and older. Each production also will offer a preview performance for $5.50.

Tickets to plays in the Horizon Series, including "Seven Guitars" and "Living Out," are $7.50 for the general public and seniors and $6 for students.

A complete listing of Purdue Theatre's 2006-07 productions, show times and ticket prices is available online.

Season ticket packages offering discounted prices also are available. For tickets, call (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Russell Jones, (765) 494-3081, russjones@purdue.edu

Peggy Felix, Theatre Division director of marketing and donor relations, (765) 494-3084, felix@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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