Brigham Young University’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts will present George Bernard Shaw’s engaging comedy “Getting Married,” directed by Barta Lee Heiner, Oct. 26-Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Margetts Theatre.
Dress rehearsal performances will be Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 26-27, and a matinee performance will be Saturday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. There will be no performance on Nov. 1 and no performances on Sundays or Mondays.
Tickets are $12 or $9 with BYU or student ID. Seats for dress rehearsals and matinee performances are $5. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322 or by visiting performances.byu.edu.
On a young couple’s wedding day, confusion ignites when each learns the many responsibilities and liabilities involved with marriage. They decide that unless they can draft a marriage contract that is suitable for both of them, they will not marry.
The entire wedding party joins the clamor as they review and discuss their own marriage problems. The clergy, a lovesick fool and the coal-maker’s wife join with the family to ask the question, “Is marriage a tiresome abyss, or a worthy ideal?”
“Shaw’s ‘Getting Married’ explores the relationships between men and women, the necessity for mutual respect in a marriage relationship and the need for intellectual and social stimulation,” Heiner said.
“All of this creates an environment that allows us to observe and evaluate our own motives and relationships — perhaps even helps us make better choices in our associations and commitments with one another,” she added.
The production is a senior project which includes assigning theatre students to roles they wouldn’t normally get, Heiner explained. This process allows the students to stretch themselves to become better actors.
Cast members include Hollie Bellows, Cade Krueger, Matthew Carlin, Kelly Garrison, Jason Purdie, Shelby Pinney, Forrest Foster, Cort Kirksey, Graham Ward, Katie Pulsipher, Benjamin Smith, Kristen Sansom and Ryan Spille.
The production team includes scenic designer Jennifer Mortensen, lighting designer Rebeccah Roberts, sound designer Sam Schwendiman, costume designer Mina Hong, production stage manager Chareen Hardy and dramaturg Jennie Pardoe.
The public is invited to participate in several free talkback sessions associated with the performances. A “Meet the Company” will be held immediately following the Thursday evening performances Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 and 10. A university panel will take place immediately following the matinee Saturday, Nov. 5. The Theatre and Media Arts Department will also host a forum about “Getting Married” Thursday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. in the Nelke Theatre.
For more information, contact Barta Heiner at (801) 422-4361.
Writer: Brian Rust
