2006 – 2007 PLAYBILL

Fall 2007
Spring 2008

Fall 2007

Murdering Marlowe

By Charles Marowitz
Directed by Joel P. Rogers
September 26, 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m.; September 29 & 30 at 2:00 p.m.
Wismer Theatre

William Shakespeare, in his mid-twenties, an aspiring playwright without a foothold in London, is desperate to make his mark. The greatest obstacle to his achieving the success he believes he richly deserves is the prominence of Christopher Marlowe, the “superstar” of the Elizabethan theatre. So formidable is his envy against this charismatic playwright that he persuades himself the only way to achieve his goal is to remove Marlowe from the scene. After the fatal blows have been struck, Will reveals himself to Marlowe as the arch conspirator who has masterminded his downfall. With his last gasps, Marlowe condemns the paltriness of his dramatic rival, and Shakespeare’s star rapidly begins to rise.

Bat Boy: The Musical

Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming
Directed by Mike Mazur
October 17, 18, 19 & 20 at 7:30 p.m.; October 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Harlen Adams Theatre

Based on a story in The Weekly World News, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is a musical comedy/horror show about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a "normal" boy by the veterinarian's wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him, prodded by the machinations of Dr. Parker, who secretly despises Bat Boy. Shelley and Bat Boy, who have fallen in love, run away together from the ignorant townfolk and have a blissful coupling in the woods, but their happiness is shattered when Meredith arrives and reveals a secret. Soon the entire town arrives and hears the shocking story of Bat Boy's unholy origin.

Natural Selection

By Eric Coble
Directed by Cynthia Lammel
November 7, 8, 9 & 10 at 7:30 p.m.; November 10 & 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Wismer Theatre

We're in the very near future, where technology rules supreme and the Culture Fiesta Theme Park needs to restock the natives of the Native American Pavilion. So curator Henry Carson must venture into the wastes of North America to find a genuine Indian. Between his wife's blogging, his son's packed schedule at virtual school, the unearthly rain, and his Indian turning out to be very different than he expected, will Henry have time to notice the world's sliding towards apocalypse?

Choreography Showcase

Coordinated by Susan Hargrave Pate
November 30 & December 1 at 7:30 p.m.; December 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Ruth Rowland-Taylor Recital Hall (PAC 134)

Chico Dance Theatre takes the stage with original dances created by student choreographers: jazz, tap, Broadway, ballet, modern, lyrical, hip-hop—something for everyone. This is the highlight of the dance season!

Spring 2008

The Bacchae

By Euripides
Co-Directed by Katie Whitlock and Susan Hargrave Pate
March 5, 6, 7 & 8 at 7:30 p.m.; March 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Harlen Adams Theatre

The Bacchae, which was not exhibited till after the death of Euripides, must have been the work of his latest years; and certain local allusions favor the supposition that it was written in Macedonia at the court of Archelaus. No play seems to have been more popular in the theatre, or to have been more frequently quoted and imitated. Without doubt it is one of the greatest of Greek tragedies, and its production in extreme old age is a marvelous testimony to the vigor and vitality of the poet. The motive of the plot -- the conflict between rationalism and religious instinct -- has a deep and permanent interest.

Top Girls

By Caryl Churchill
Directed by William J. Johnson
April 2, 3, 4 & 5 at 7:30 p.m.; April 5 & 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Wismer Theatre

Top Girls is a 1982 play by Caryl Churchill. It depicts the life of Marlene, a hard-bitten career woman who runs the 'Top Girls' employment agency, and her interactions with her family she left behind. Marlene left her working class background to pursue financial success, leaving her illegitimate child with her apparently infertile sister, Joyce. The play is set in Britain and implicitly condemns the increasing incidence of Thatcherist values in society, and especially their effect on Feminism. Churchill has stated that the play was inspired by her conversations with American feminists: it comments on the contrast between American feminism, which celebrates individualistic women who acquire power and wealth, and British socialist feminism, which involves collective group gain.

A Little Night Music

Book by Hugh Wheeler; Lyrics and Music by Stephen Sondheim Harlen Adams Theatre
Directed by Joel P. Rogers
May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10 at 7:30 p.m.; and May 4 at 2:00 p.m.
Harlen Adams Theatre

In turn-of-the-century Sweden, middle-aged Fredrik Egerman brings his 18-year-old bride Anne to a play starring his former mistress, Desiree Armfeldt. Soon, Fredrik and Desiree resume their romance, incurring the wrath of her current lover, a pompous Count. The situation culminates in a weekend at a country estate, with Fredrik, Anne, Desiree and the Count in attendance, as well as Fredrik’s son (who is hopelessly in love with Anne), Desiree’s illegitimate daughter, the Count’s manic-depressive wife and the Egerman’s lusty maid. And there, under the summer night, things are set to right.

For ticket information, please call the University Box Office at 530-898-6333.