Season of 2008-2009
Main Stage
The Last Mass at St. Casimir's
Written by Tom Dudzick • Directed by Herschel Kruger
Showtimes:
Oct. 17-19, 24 • 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 • 2 p.m.
Oct. 26 • 3 p.m.Synopsis:
The third and final leg of Tom Dudzick’s trilogy of plays about the Pazinskis—a Polish-Catholic family living in Buffalo, N.Y., during the1950s, ’60s, and, in this installment, the ’70s. This offering, which unfolds during the infamous Blizzard of ’77, dubbed “the blizzard of the century”has a more decidedly serious tone than Over the Tavern and King O’ the Moon. The family patriarch has died, and mom Ellen is selling Chet’s Bar& Grill and its upstairs apartment— the family’s home—and moving on. The question for her three 30-something kids is: What willbecome of 31-year-old Georgie, the fourth sibling? Born mentally retarded, he has begun to develop a memory-loss condition similar to senile dementia.
The Good Woman of Setzuan
Written by Bertolt Brecht • Directed by Martin McClendon
Showtimes
Nov. 7-8 • 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 • 3 p.m.
Nov. 13-15 • 7:30 p.m.Synopsis
Three ancient Chinese gods come to Earth to find one good person, but Shen Te the prostitute is the only one in Setzuan who will take them in. The gods reward her with a fortune, and Shen Te’s poor relatives descend upon her, creating chaos. Suddenly her mysterious cousin Shui Ta appears and ruthlessly restores order, but Shen Te finds her troubles are only beginning. Can she survive and be good too? Playwright Bertolt Brecht’s gripping play looks at people living on the edge and the choices they must make to survive.
Fighting Words
Written by Sunil Kuruvilla • Directed by Kevin Rich
Showtimes
Feb. 13-14 • 7:30 p.m.
Feb.15 • 3 p.m.
Feb. 19-21 • 7:30 p.m.Synopsis
In 1980, boxer Johnny Owen traveled from the small mining town of Merthyr Tydfi l, Wales, to Los Angeles to challenger Lupe Pintor for the world bantamweight championship. It is the story of the women who watched the fi ght on television, while baking in Wales. As they bake a cake, readying for the gathering of women at the gym, Peg, Nia, and Mrs. Davies support and ridicule each other as they reveal their secrets and dreams. As the cake rises in the kitchen, so do the tempers as the women fi ght about who knows Johnny best, then about which one of them he loves more.
Honest
World Premiere
Written by Academy Award Winner and Tony Nominated Writer and Director Eric Simonson
Directed by Herschel KrugerShowtimes
March 27-29 • 7:30 p.m.
April 2-4 • 7:30 p.m.
April 5 • 3 p.m.Synopsis
Writer Guy Prescott seems to have it all —youth, celebrity, and a huge advance from one of the biggest publishing houses in the country—until one day a stranger comes to his door and demands he tell him who he really is. What follows is a fascinating tale that takes us back in time, first to Guy’s heady college days, and then to a strange and traumatic family history. It’s a journey fraught with intrigue, lies, heartbreak and the ultimate hoax: self-deception.
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan
New Music by Jeanine Tesori • New Lyrics by Dick Scanland
Directed by Neil Scharnick • Musical Direction by Amy Haines
Showtimes
April 24-25 • 7:30 p.m.
April 26 • 3 p.m.
April 30 • 7:30 p.m.
May 1-2 • 7:30 p.m.Synopsis
Would-be flapper Millie Dillmont leaves Kansas and its safe, familiar drudgeries for Manhattan, determined to get a secretarial job with a rich, handsome boss she can marry. But her scheme to become “thoroughly modern” is sidetracked when she finds herself falling in love with a penniless romantic. Based on the 1967 film musical, this rollicking, unpretentious 2002 Tony winner recalls the joyful “Cinderella musicals” of the 1920s.
Soaring
Choreographed by Carthage Dance Faculty
Annie Hackett and Katie SopociShowtime
May 15-16 • 7:30 p.m.
Synopsis
The Department of Theatre presents the second annual dance concert featuring choreography by Carthage Dance faculty members Annie Hackett and Katie Sopoci along with Carthage student choreography. This exciting dance event has styles for all tastes including classical and contemporary ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. Last year more than 50 Carthage students participated in this exciting showcase.
Studio Season
The Runner Stumbles
Written by Milan Stitt • Directed by Eric Stibbe
Showtime
Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 • 7:30 p.m.
Synopsis
Father Rivard is a priest in a small, economically depressed coal-mining town. Working on what he thinks is a “controversial” work, he lives with the brutal lives of his poor parishioners, the old, unfriendly nuns in the nearby convent, and his own self-doubts. When Rita, an energetic and bright young sister, arrives at the parish, he finds someone he can talk to, someone with whom he has much in common.
To Gillian on her 37th Birthday
Written by Michael Brady • Directed by Samantha Tink
Feb. 5-7 • 7:30 p.m.
Ever since David’s wife Gillian was killed on her birthday, he has been completely incapable of accepting her death. Each day, he still a down to the beach to “talk” to her, and keep her alive in his mind. As he withdraws further into his fantasy world, he leaves his neglected daughter behind. Hoping to help him, David’s meddling in-laws bring an uninvited guest, and a hidden agenda, for a weekend at David’s beach house.
Last Train to Nibroc
Written by Arlene Hutton • Directed by Caitlin Robertson
March 5-7 • 7:30 p.m.
In December 1940, an east-bound cross-country train carries the bodies of the great American writers Nathanael West and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also on board is May, who shares her seat with a charming young fl yer, Raleigh. Religious and bookish, May plans to be a missionary. Raleigh has been given a medical discharge and, inspired by West and Fitzgerald, is heading to New York to be a writer.
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