Purdue Theatre to present 'The Understudy'
October 30, 2012
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue Theatre will present "The Understudy" by Theresa Rebeck beginning Nov. 9 at the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts.
A smash hit off-Broadway, "The Understudy" is a comedy from Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck. The story involves a smug Hollywood action star who has been cast in a prestigious role in Franz Kafka's newly discovered play on Broadway. Things couldn't be better until he meets his understudy. Can a hassled and stressed stage manager prevent a battle royal from developing between the two rival actors?
"The Understudy" is spirited and entertaining," said director and associate professor of theatre Richard Sullivan Lee.
"Purdue Theatre is committed to producing female playwrights, a rarity even in modern theatre," said Theatre Department chair Joel Ebarb. "Theresa Rebeck is a sensational screenwriter and author who recently created and produced NBC's very popular musical drama "Smash."
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Matinees also will be offered at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 17 and 18. Tickets are $19.50 for the general public, $12.50 for students and $15.50 for seniors ages 62 and older. A special preview performance of "The Understudy" will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, with all seats $6.50 general admission. Tickets for "The Understudy" are available at the Pao Hall, Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices, by calling 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW or at https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/home.htmI?l=EN&team=purdue
The Nancy T. Hansen Theatre is located in Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts at 552 W. Wood St. The Department of Theatre is in the College of Liberal Arts and is part of the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts.
Contact: David Lageveen, director of marketing and donor relations for Purdue Theatre, 765-494-3084, lageveen@purdue.edu
Sources: Joel Ebarb, 765-494-3081, jebarb@purdue.edu
Richard Sullivan Lee, 765-494-3078, rslee@purdue.edu
