The Department of Theatre and Dance will present five productions in 2015-16 as part of the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series, including the hit Broadway musical “Cabaret.”
“Cabaret” will be the opening event in the series, running from Oct. 14-18 in Marvel Theatre at Rockefeller Arts Center. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14-17 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 17-18.
With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Joe Masteroff, “Cabaret” was a Broadway hit in 1966. Its most recent revival was staged in 2014. The story centers on an aspiring writer who meets a cabaret performer during the waning years of Berlin’s notorious cabaret scene as the Nazi Party was rising to power.
The Mainstage Series also includes:
“Six Characters in Search of an Author,” on Nov. 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., in Bartlett Theatre. An acting company in rehearsal is interrupted by the arrival of six strange people – who turn out to be unfinished characters in search of an author to finish their story. This classic absurdist drama was written by Italian dramatist Luigi Pirandello in 1921.
“The Laramie Project,” on Feb. 25 and March 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 27 and March 5, at 2 p.m., and “The Laramie Project Ten Years Later,” on Feb. 26 and 27, March 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m., all in Bartlett Theatre. This is a special event intertwining two staged documentaries about the killing of Matthew Shepard. Shepard was murdered in 1998 because of his sexual orientation in a case that drew national attention. Written by Moisés Kaufman for the Tectonic Theater, “The Laramie Project” tells of the murder and events leading up to it. “The Laramie Project 10 Years Later” picks the story up a decade after the murder.
The Fredonia Dance Ensemble, on April 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, at 7:30 p.m., and April 3, at 2 p.m., in the new dance studio at Rockefeller Arts Center. An engaging variety of dance styles will be featured in this annual concert. Fredonia’s talented dance students are directed by both faculty and guest artist choreographers.
“James and the Giant Peach,” on April 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30, at 7:30 p.m., and April 24, at 2 p.m., in Bartlett Theatre. Young James Henry Trotter escapes life with his cruel aunts when a magic potion turns a peach tree into a portal to a world of adventure. This classic children’s tale, written by Roald Dahl in 1961, was adapted for the stage by David Wood. This will be a family-oriented production.
Tickets to all events in the above series are available through the Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 and online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
These events are also part of Rockefeller Arts Center’s “Mix & Match” season ticket plan in which discounts are available with the purchase of at least three different events. Call the Ticket Office at 716-673-3501 for more details.
