2014-15 Purdue Theatre to explore the darker side of humanity
September 17, 2014
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The 2014-15 Purdue Theatre season will delve into the depths of humanity's dark side, and its thought-provoking plays will feature themes including deception, fear, intimidation, slander and corruption.
The season includes plays that were written in and depict various historical times as well as modern ones. Their messages, though, are all poignant and timely, says Joel Ebarb, chair and associate professor in the Department of Theatre.
"This season, Purdue Theatre is excited to produce plays that are in turn thrilling, mysterious and intriguing," Ebarb says.
"At the same time, this season's plays will provide incisive social and political commentary in the form of old and new works. These plays are designed to entertain, educate and engage audience members who have come to expect the best from Purdue Theatre. For those who have never attended before, this season will introduce them to the power of our productions."
Two of the shows will be performed at the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre, and two will take place in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre. Both are in Pao Hall. All shows will be directed by Purdue theatre faculty.
Ticket costs are general public, $19.50; students, $12.50; seniors age 62 and up, $15.50.
Season ticket packages offering discounted prices are available. Group sales also are available. For tickets, call 49-43933 or 800-914-SHOW [7469]. Tickets may also be purchased at the Loeb Playhouse Box Office in the west lobby of Stewart Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and at the Pao Hall box office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. On show days, tickets may be purchased at the Pao Hall box office from 6 to 8 p.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees.
This year's lineup features the following productions:
* "Wait Until Dark," written by Frederick Knott and directed by Robert Quinlan, visiting assistant professor of theatre. This 1966 play tells the story of a blind heroine who inadvertently finds herself in a life-or-death struggle against a gang of ruthless criminals. A 1967 movie version of the same name stars Audrey Hepburn. The play will be staged Sept. 26-28 and Sept. 30-Oct. 5 in the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre. It is rated PG-13 for violence/terror and some drug content. It is recommended for ages 14 and up.
* "The Crucible," written by famous American playwright Arthur Miller and directed by Kristine Holtvedt, associate professor of theatre. One of the most important plays of the 20th century, this play depicts the vicious Puritan purge of perceived witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. The effects of bigotry and deceit are painted in shocking detail in this 1953 Tony Award winner. The play will be staged Nov. 14-16 and 20-23 in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre. It is rated PG-13 for its intense depiction of the Salem witch trials. It is recommended for ages 14 and up.
* "Macbeth," written by William Shakespeare and directed by Richard Sullivan Lee, associate professor of theatre. This classic, spooky depiction of a Scottish warrior's descent into the darkest recesses of his own ambition is full of witches, ghosts, and dark and bloody deeds. One of Shakespeare's most popular plays, this 1606 masterpiece is also the perfect entry into the playwright's body of work. The play will be staged Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 25-March 1 in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre. It is rated PG-13 for violence/terror and references to the supernatural. It is recommended for ages 14 and up.
* "Good Kids," written by Naomi Iizuka, head of playwriting at the University of California, San Diego, and directed by Ebarb. A one-act play, "Good Kids" is a sharp look at the attitudes of young men and women toward sexuality and relationships in a world dominated by social media. It examines an incident from multiple perspectives, each filtered through the lens of social media, and it leaves audiences to draw their own conclusions. This timely production is the result of the Big Ten Theatre Consortium's new play initiative, which commissioned plays from female playwrights to be produced at member universities in the coming years. The play will be staged April 10-12, 15-18 and 22-26 in the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre. It is rated R for adult language and themes. It is recommended for mature audiences only.
Writer: Amanda Hamon Kunz, 49-61325, ahamon@purdue.edu
