ESU Theatre presents its 54th Summer Theatre season

Emporia State University’s Theatre Department is proud to announce its 54th season of summer theatre. The 2008 lineup includes:

•  "Some Enchanted Evening - The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein," June 11-14
• "Bell, Book and Candle," by John Van Druten, June 25-28
• "The Complete History of America, Abridged," by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, July 9-12
• "I Love You Because," a modern day musical love story by Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham, July 23-26

"Some Enchanted Evening" is a revue of songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Based upon a concept by Jeffrey B. Boss, it features popular songs from Oklahoma, South Pacific, Cinderella, State Fair, The Sound of Music and many more. The director is Theresa Mitchell. Guest artist Rick Rasmussen designs both the costumes and the set. Kyle Land is the lighting designer. Music director is Penny Speedie and Lindy Bartruff provides choreography. Senior Katie Schultz is the production stage manager.

"Bell, Book, and Candle" is a comedy of bewitching amusement by John Van Druten. One of the American theatre’s favorite romantic comedies, it is about Gillian Holroyd, an average witch who meets a publisher named Shepherd Henderson who lives in her building. Wanting to keep Shepherd away from a longtime rival she casts a spell on him. Will she give up her powers to live with a mortal? And will her zany family help her keep her secret? Bell, Book and Candle is under the direction of Dr. Jim Ryan. Rick Rasmussen is the scenic and costume designer. Kyle Land is the lighting designer. Eric Luchen is the production stage manager.

"The Complete History of America, Abridged," was originally staged and scripted by members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company—Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor. This show interprets the past as a breathlessly paced sequence of silly vaudeville sketches, word association games, puns and crude parodies of movies and television. The director is Kyle Land in his final production for ESU Theatre. 2008 grads Eric Luchen and Michael Wilke design sets and lighting respectively. The stage manager is senior Ben Williams.

The final production is a modern musical romance, "I Love You Because," by Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham. A new take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, it is about Austin Bennet, a young greeting card writer, whose longtime girlfriend has left. On a blind date, he meets a flighty photographer, Marcy Fitzwilliams, with relationship dilemmas of her own. Encouraged by their friends Jeff and Diana, the two seem destined for one another. Or do they? Jim Bartruff is directing. Lindy Bartruff is the show’s choreographer and Penny Speedie is the music director. Nancy Pontius designs the settings. ESU alum Jamie Urban designs costumes and the lighting design is by Michael Wilke. Senior Katie Schultz is the stage manager. The show will mark the debut of ESU Theatre’s new technical director, Craig Moxon.

All performances are in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall. Show time is 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $5 for students. Tickets can be reserved at the box office at 620-341-6378 or 877-341-6378 (toll free).

Last Updated May 6, 2008>