September 12, 2018

2018-19 Purdue Theatre to feature drama, comedy and adventure

The 2018-19 Purdue Theatre season will explore themes of race relations, mental illness, grief, resilience, friendship and more through four different plays.

The season features an adaption of a musical that won the Pulitzer Prize and three Tony Awards, two contemporary pieces, as well as a historical classic. Addressing a wide range of topics, the 2018-19 season lineup will offer drama, comedy and adventure.

Ticket costs for “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “She Kills Monsters” are general public, $19.50; students, $12.50; seniors age 62 and up, $15.50. Ticket costs for the musical, “Next to Normal,” are general public, $21.50; students, $14.50; seniors age 62 and up, $17.50. Group rates are also available.

Tickets may be purchased at all campus box offices, by calling 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW or online at www.purdue.edu/theatre/tickets.

This year’s lineup features the following productions:

* “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Ameenah Kaplan, guest director. In this 2012 comedy from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of “Ruined,” Lynn Nottage draws upon the screwball films of the 1930s to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood. “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” is a 70-year journey through the life of Vera Stark, a self-confident African-American maid and budding actress, and her tangled relationship with her boss, a Hollywood star desperately grasping to hold on to her career. When circumstances collide and both women land roles in the same Southern epic, the story behind the cameras leaves Vera with a surprising and controversial legacy that scholars debate for years to come. The play will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21, 22 and 26-29 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 30 in the Carole and Gordon Mallett Theatre in Pao Hall.

* “Next to Normal,” book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, music by Tom Kitt and directed by Kristine Holtvedt, associate professor of theatre. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama and three Tony awards, “Next to Normal” presents an unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness, set to a rock music score. Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. “Next to Normal” takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart. The play will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10 and 14-17 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18 in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre in Pao Hall.

* “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” written by William Shakespeare and directed by Richard Sullivan Lee, associate professor of theatre. One of Shakespeare’s early comedies, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” raises questions about the loyalty between two friends who are smitten with the same young woman. Sent to court in Milan to learn to be “perfect gentlemen,” Valentine and Proteus are derailed by their mutual attraction to Sylvia, the ruler’s daughter. Complicating matters, Proteus already has sworn his love to Julia, who disguises herself as a boy and follows them to court.

“The Two Gentlemen of Verona” is a coming-of-age story set in Shakespeare’s world of frantic, love-crazed youth. The play will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15, 16 and 21-23 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24 in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre.

* “She Kills Monsters,” written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Amy Lynn Budd, visiting assistant professor of theatre. A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, “She Kills Monsters” tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s “Dungeons & Dragons” notebook, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres and '90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all. The play will be staged at 7:30 p.m. April 12, 13 and 17-20 and 2:30 p.m. April 14 in the Nancy T. Hansen Theatre.

Writer: Jaclyn Lawmaster, 574-301-9049, jlawmast@purdue.edu
Source: David Lageveen, director of marketing and donor relations for Purdue Theatre, 765-494-3084, lageveen@purdue.edu

 


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