The Brigham Young University Theatre and Media Arts Department is announcing its 2011–2012 theatre season.
Season renewals and new orders go on sale soon. Visit byuarts.com to download the order form. Single tickets go on sale approximately four weeks prior to each event. For ticket information, contact the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322 or visit byuarts.com. There will be no performances Sundays or Mondays.
Fall 2011
- The season will begin with “The Hundred Dresses” October 12–22 in the Nelke Theatre. This fifty-minute adaptation, based on the Newberry Honor award-winning book by Eleanor Estes, has been adapted for young audiences. Directed by Julia Ashworth, the play tells of Wanda Petronski, often teased by her peers, who claims to have a hundred dresses at home. Her classmates soon begin to see the worth of an individual.
- “The Elephant Man” will play November 2–12 in the Margetts Theatre and will be directed by David Morgan. The story tells of a man whose ugly disease subjected him to ridicule and freak shows. The Elephant Man lived surrounded by ugliness. The play utilizes inventive staging, masks and music to reveal the strength of character to see the beauty within. The play is recommended for ages 12 and older.
- The beloved Christmas film and hit Broadway musical “White Christmas” will be performed by BYU November 9–December 3 in the Pardoe Theatre. When two army buddies stage a show to save their former general’s failing inn, they find that dreams really do come true. This 1950s-style musical is filled with dancing and the same familiar songs from the film. The musical will be directed by George Nelson.
- A new musical by Ward Wright, titled “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey,” will make its world-premiere November 25–December 19 at the SCERA Theatre in Orem. Adapted from the book of the same name by Susan Wojciechowski, the play is directed by Roger Sorenson. Rosa Gardner will give the musical direction. The play is the tale of Jonathan Toomey, a carpenter in a small village whose life changes when he meets a boy and his widowed mother searching for a new Christmas crèche. The story unfolds to reveal the true spirit of Christmas.
Winter 2012
- William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” will start off Winter Semester’s theatre season January 25–February 4 in the Margetts Theatre. Shakespeare’s most famous story of revenge and mercy will be adapted into a fifty-minute family production that explores issues common in schools and playgrounds, such as prejudice, discrimination and bullying. Directed by Kymberly Mellen, contemporary style will meet with Shakespeare’s language to help the audience liken the story to themselves.
- “Little Eyolf” by Henrick Ibsen and directed by Barta Heiner will play February 28–March 10 in Margetts Theatre. The story tells of a tragedy that divides a Norwegian family after the appearance of a mysterious visitor. The play emphasizes the terrible consequences of poor decisions, the power of strength and the importance of family. The play is recommended for ages 12 and older.
- Set in 1940s-era America, William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labor’s Lost” will play March 14–30 in the Pardoe Theatre. The play takes place on the eve of WWII, where “King” and his GI sidekicks make an oath to avoid all diversions—including women—for three years. Unexpected love arises when four ladies arrive on the scene. The performance will be directed by Stephanie Breinholt and will feature live big band music and a radio show with Shakespeare’s language as he wrote it.
Spring 2012
- The theatre season will conclude with “Arabian Nights” May 24—June 9 in the Pardoe Theatre. The Utah premiere of a new adaptation of the familiar legend of “The Thousand and One Nights” tells of a beautiful bride who spins hypnotic tales of genies, kings and thieves to win her freedom and her husband’s heart. Directed by Megan Sanborn Jones, this tale of adventure and romance is told inventively through song, dance, poetry and improvisation.
Writer: Mel Gardner
