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Act Two: Theatre Seasons
For a list of past performances, please see Past Theatre Seasons
2008-2009 USCA University Theatre Season
ALWAYS PATSY CLINE
By: Ted Swindley
Directed by: Jack Benjamin
August 29 – 30, 2008
Back by popular demand Brooke Lundy and Dewey Scott-Wiley will recreate their unforgettable roles in this amazing musical tribute. “Always…Patsy Cline” is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
By: Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Dewey Scott-Wiley
October 2-5, 2008 (KCACTF Participating Production)
Amanda Wingfield is a faded, tragic remnant of Southern gentility who lives in poverty in a dingy St. Louis apartment with her son, Tom, and her daughter, Laura. Amanda strives to give meaning and direction to her life and the lives of her children, though her methods are ineffective and irritating. Tom is driven nearly to distraction by his mother's nagging and seeks escape in alcohol and the unrealistic world of the movies. Laura also lives in her own illusions. She is crippled, and this defect, intensified by her mother's anxiety to see her married, has driven her more and more into herself. The crux of the action comes when Tom invites a young man of his acquaintance to take dinner with the family. Jim, the caller, is a nice ordinary fellow who is at once pounced upon by Amanda as a possible husband for Laura. In spite of her crude and obvious efforts to entrap the young man, he and Laura manage to get along very nicely, and momentarily Laura is lifted out of herself into a new world. But this crashes when, toward the end, Jim explains that he is already engaged. The world of illusion that Amanda and Laura have striven to create in order to make life bearable collapses about them. Tom, too, at the end of his tether, at last leaves home.
THE EMPORER’S NEW CLOTHES
By: Jeanine Dwinell Henry and Meg Bryant Davenport
Directed by: Jack Benjamin
November 24 and 25, 2008
A delightful, funny re-telling of the Hans Christian Anderson story. The vain and childish Emperor is duped by two schemers who convince him they can make him a unique suit of clothes that is not only beautiful, but magical––it can only by see by those who are honest. Afraid he won't be able to see the cloth himself, the Emperor enlists the aid of his two ministers, who complicate matters when they are afraid to admit they cannot see it.
THE 13TH ANNUAL FEAST OF CAROLS
Performed by the Department of Visual & Performing Arts Students
Directed by: Jack Benjamin
December 4 – 6, 2008
FAT PIG
By: Neil Labute
Directed by: Dewey Scott-Wiley
March 26 – 30, 2009 (KCACTF Associate Production)
Cow.Slob.Pig. How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? Tom faces just that question when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized - and then some. Forced to explain his new relationship to his shallow (although shockingly funny) friends, he finally comes to terms with his own preconceptions of the importance of conventional good looks. Neil LaBute's sharply drawn play not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but also boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves.
AN EVENING OF BROADWAY MEMORIES
Music and Lyrics by Various artists
Directed by: Jack Benjamin & Joel Scraper
April 23 – 26, 2009
We hope you will join us for this very special event when we celebrate annually the Broadway Musical. This season we are commemorating four musicals that won the Tony Award for Best Musical in their decade. From the 1940’s we bring you the music from KISS ME KATE, from the 50’s MY FAIR LADY, from the 60’s FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and from the 70’s ANNIE. Along with the music you will be treated to some of the best dialogue and choreography from these magnificent shows. The evening is sure to have you tapping your toes and humming the tunes.
For more information, please contact Jack Benjamin at jackb@usca.edu or call 803-641-3327.
