Ashland University Theatre season focuses on ‘Stories of Courage’
Robert Sean Parker is an assistant professor of theater at Ashland University.
Throughout people’s life experiences, they rely on courage to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. The 2019-20 AU Theatre season will tell three courageous stories in different styles (drama, comedy, musical) and set in varying time periods and places.
The stories include Arthur Miller’s dramatic adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” the musical “Mamma Mia!” and the female version of Neil Simon's comic classic, “The Odd Couple.”
“An Enemy of the People” opens the season in conjunction with the Arthur Miller Society’s 13th International Conference, which is being held at Ashland University Oct. 18-20.
With a story as timeless as today’s news, the story is about a small Norwegian town that has just begun to win fame and wealth through its medicinal spring waters. Dr. Stockmann discovers the waters are poisoned and tries to warn his town. The press won’t report his findings, and the city officials refuse to give him a hearing. In his effort to bring the truth to light, he is branded “an enemy of the people,” and his family’s safety is put in danger.
Directed by Dr. Teresa Durbin-Ames, associate professor of theater, the show is scheduled for Oct. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre.
A special school matinee performance of “An Enemy of the People” is slated for Friday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. and is recommended for high school English, journalism, history, government and business classes. All seats for the school matinee are $2 and can be reserved by emailing Tricia Applegate, coordinator of performing arts events, at tapplega@ashland.edu or calling 419-289-5950.
“Mamma Mia!” will open on Valentine’s Day weekend. The sunny and funny story unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
As a single mother who has made her way through the years with strength and determination, Mom is forced to confront her past and the truth about her daughter’s father. Also directed by Durbin-Ames, the production’s performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, 15, 21 and 22 and on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre.
The season will close with Simon’s beloved comedy about the mismatched roommates, Unger and Madison. Only in this version, instead of Felix and Oscar, there will be Florence and Olive for the female version of “The Odd Couple.”
As Olive and her group of girlfriends enjoy their weekly Trivial Pursuit game night, Florence arrives, fresh from being dumped by her husband. Fearful that the neurotic Florence might attempt suicide, Olive invites her to move in as her roommate. Olive’s easy-going outlook on life soon clashes with Florence’s highly strung tendencies, testing their friendship to the limit with hilarious consequences and outcomes.
Directed by assistant professor of theater Robert Sean Parker, evening performances will be held April 1-4 at 7:30 p.m. while the 2 p.m. matinee will be Sunday, April 5 in Studio Theatre. A school matinee performance will be held on Friday, April 3 at 9 a.m. with all seats priced at $2. Reservations can be made directly with Applegate.
Opening night receptions are scheduled for all three of the main stage shows. The receptions held on Oct. 11, Feb. 14 and April 1 will begin immediately following the performances and offer the audience a chance to celebrate with the cast and crew. The receptions are free with admission to the performance.
Season tickets are now on sale and include admission to all three season productions at a reduced price compared to single tickets. Season tickets for all three productions are $28 for adults; $24 for senior citizens and Ashland University faculty, staff and alumni; and $12 for non-AU students.
Single tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for senior citizens and AU faculty, staff and alumni; $8 for groups of 10 or more; $5 for non-AU students; and $2 for Ashland University students with ID.
In addition to the above events, the theater department also will present four free events that are open to the public. To guarantee a seat, it is recommended patrons secure a free ticket through the university’s box office.
On Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Studio Theatre, Alpha Psi Omega theater honor society will present a performance of an original 24-hour theater project.
On Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Studio Theatre, senior theater majors Nik Demers and Holly Fongheiser will present their senior theater project performances.
On Thursday, April 16, Alpha Psi Omega will present "Birthday Bash for the Bard."
On Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m. in Studio Theatre, the Drop of a Hat Players musical theater revue troupe will perform their annual spring showcase concert.
To order tickets, call the Ashland University box office at 419-289-5125 Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. or order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply).
For more information visit the website at www.ashland.edu/theatre or call Applegate at 419-289-5950 or email tapplega@ashland.edu.