In the summer of 1936 in County Doneqal Ireland, five gloriously eccentric sisters struggle to survive desperate times. Their story teaches us that the rhythm of life is not in sacrifice and loss, but in family, music, memory, and dance. Directed by Matt Moore '04.
Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre, Trexler PavilionMusical comedy (1944) that introduced choreographer Jerome Robbins and composer Leonard Bernstein to the American musical theatre. Three exuberant young sailors storm New York City for adventure, romance, and fun in a frenzy of song and dance. Directed by Charles Richter; Musical Director, Vincent Trovano; Choreographer, Karen Dearborn.
Paul C. Empie Theatre, Baker Center for the Arts
In Renaissance Venice, debate rages over a painter's rendition of the naval battle which defeated the Moslem Turks. One woman's artistic vision raises compelling questions about the conflict between the imagination of the artist and the power of the state. Will her painting celebrate the event or critique it? Sumptuous language, epic emotions, complex characters, and challenging ideas from one of Europe's most revered living playwrights. Directed by James Peck; featuring guest faculty artist Devon Allen. Co-produced by Our Shoes are Red, a theatre laboratory in residence.
Mature themes and content.
Original choreography by Muhlenberg dance majors showcasing their creative, imaginative, and energetic talents. See both fall and spring concerts for one single subscription ticket.
Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre, Trexler PavilionA celebration of 10 years of the Dance Major at Muhlenberg College in original choreography set and performed by students and alumni. Nationally acclaimed choreographer Claire Porter will create a new work titled "Return" for this landmark event.
Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre, Trexler PavilionThe timeless story of a daughter's inconsolable gried and a mother's betrayal finds justice a precarious journey. Be it destiny or necessity, there is an eternal rhythm of suffering from which even revenge cannot free us. An adventurous, new production of the classic tragedy directed by Francine Roussel. Translation by Nicholas Rudall. Original music by Douglas Ovens.
In this strangely romantic comedy about the confusion and heartache we spin out of telling lies, a theatrical affair of passion and deception is twisted to a delicious frenzy. The turbulent and time-bending journey offers a generous dose of laughter along the way to discovering the truth. Directed by Laura Feliciani '03.
An 18th-century comic farce in which rival fathers, spirited daughters, and a rougue captain bamboozle one another in wild pursuit of their passions. The opera, set among theives, rogues, and their ladies, is a political satire that is as joyful as it is ferocious--a masterpiece of irony and wit set to beautiful folk songs, ballads, and arias of the day. Directed by Dr. James Peck.
In a fluid, fractured, wise, and funny evening at the Lapin Agile in 1904, the young Einstein and Picasso debate genius, beauty, absolute truth, and their desires to change the course of the 20th century. An original play by an extraordinary comedian who always makes us laugh and dream. Directed by Abby Mahone '03.
This intimate production of the musical comedy is based on fractured tales of what lies beyond "Ever After." We begin in a forgotten attic in a renaissance of childhood where wishes become actions that have adult consequences. In these charming yet chaotic woods, we encounter hurt, hope, and longing and learn that we are not alone. Directed by Brian Cordeiro '03.
The mysterious woodland misadventures of the Frilled Lizard Girl were inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, but radically transformed under the Power of Certain Nefarious Elves. A passionate cacophony of "lyrical-mad-musings on the unsayable" by the renegade master of poetic chaos who blieves "Paradox is at the heart of our theatre and our culture." World premiere. Directed by Beth Schachter.
An evening of one-acts by Muhlenberg student playwrights, under the supervision of new faculty member Beth Schachter: "A Play Due to Charlie Richter Tomorrow" by Nick Thompson-Miller, directed by Laura Feliciani; "O'Riley" by Eddie Honan, directed by Cara Restaino; and "Here Comes Bride" by Gabriel L. Nathen, directed by Abby Mahone. In addition to these, Dr. Schachter will direct a series of short plays by Julia Schofield.
Directed by Charles Richter, choreographed by Karen Dearborn, and musical direction by Ken Butler. Two girls from Columbus, Ohio move to New York City in the mid-1930's to seek fame and fortune.
Francine Roussel will be directing this 18th century French comedy. Silvia awaits the arrival of Dorante, the young gentleman her father has arranged for her to marry. She decides to exchange clothes with her maid, Lisette, so that she can observe her husband-to-be while in disguise. Meanwhile Dorante and his servant Harlequin have concocted a similar plan. The stage is set for confusion upon confusion as the two pairs of lovers collide.
An Experimental Revision of Shakespeare by Our Shoes Are Red, a professional theatre laboratory in residence at Muhlenberg College under the direction of Devon Allen with professional guest artists. This new theatre work integrates music and experimental techniques to interpret one of the world's most famous love stories and to explore the ideas and behaviors that taint out innate capacity to love.
Part of V-Day, a worldwide movement to stop violence against women and girls, The Vagina Monologues dive into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage, and excitement buried in women's...experiences. Student director Cara Restaino directs this piece based on interviews with a diverse group of hundreds of women. All proceeds benefit Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.
A magnificent fresco is discovered in an abandoned church in the Balkans, its properties capable of altering the path of history - and shattering the unwritten hierarchy of our world's cultures. The powerful quickly learn of the painting, and suddenly everyone lays claim to the once-abandoned church, bringing the painting's cultural implications literally to its doorstep. Directed by James Peck. Play contains nudity and sexually explicit language and situations.
One of the bard's most-beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a wild and complicated romp in the wilderness of human relationships. As many romantics young and old have discovered, "the course of true love never did run smooth!" Directed by Roy B. Steinberg.
A hilarious yet prophetic parable on the wages of sin, Little Shop of Horrors played for years off-Broadway and has become a classic of the musical stage. A satire of wildly imaginative science fiction and the movie madness of King Kong, Little Shop of Horrors is as sweet and funny as it is outlandish. A struggling florist's clerk, a seemingly unattainable love, and a villainous exotic plant collide at Mushnik's Skid Row Flower Shop. Directed by William Sanders.
This stunning, award-winning play based on folk lore collected during the Depression, is inspired drama for both children and adults. Mother Hicks is a mysterious outsider, a midwife and healer who lives alone, estranged from the townspeople who believe she has bewitched them. Tuc, a compassionate young deaf man, wisely unites Mother Hicks with Girl, a teenager on a quest for her true name. Directed by Charles Richter.
The Crucible premiered on Broadway in 1953 as a scathing critique of the McCarthy era and the unmitigated crusade against artists suspected of communist influences. Set in the witch-hunting hysteria of Salem, Massachusetts in 1662, the play brilliantly captures the desperation of the accused to save themselves. Directing is Francine Roussel, who brings professional experience in mask, mime and movement to her stage work, including her role as movement director for Nicholas Hytner's feature film, The Crucible.
An outrageous journey into the truly ridiculous theatre of Charles Ludlam. In a zany meta-theatrical universe where science fiction collides with method acting, his characters strive for everlasting life through the wonders of cryogenics. This bizarre satire is directed by Muhlenberg College senior Sladine Cannady. No one under 17 admitted.
One of the great Baroque operas by one of England's greatest stage composers, Dido and Aeneas was first performed in London in 1689. The concise libretto, adapted from the fourth book of Virgil's Aeneid, is in English. Purcell's score is extraordinarily beautiful. Set in Carthage on the north coast of Africa, the story focuses on the ill-fated lovers Dido and Aeneas. Directing the lavish Baroque opera is restoration scholar, James Peck. Baker Artists in Residence are Thomas Baird, one of America's premiere Baroque dance specialists, and the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra.
