OU PRESENTS 2015-2016
YEAR OF DANCE &
THEATRE

From staff sources

UNIVERSITY THEATRE

Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts

The University of Oklahoma

Sandra Bent, Public Relations

325-5321, sbent@ou.edu

 

Aug. 7, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

University Theatre Presents a Season to Celebrate!

 

We are setting the stage and invite you to join us for the 2015-2016 University Theatre season at The University of Oklahoma!  Exciting and dynamic productions of musicals, opera, dance and drama will delight audiences throughout the season.  This year’s production series includes Arcadia; Acts of War, Three One-Act operas; Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show; The Nutcracker; Young Choreographers’ Showcase; The Trojan Women; Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin; Thoroughly Modern Millie; and Contemporary Dance Oklahoma. 

 

“Planning the season has been a labor of love, as has been the renovation of Rupel Jones Theatre and revealing this fabulous new environment will be one of the joys of the season!” said Mary Margaret Holt, University Theatre producer.  “From its updated technology to the beautiful new look of our lobby and seating area, we can’t wait to share it our audiences – and we have chosen the perfect vehicle for the event!  Our production of Ragtime is full of the trials, joys, and pathos of a changing country as a new century unfolds.  Directed by Joe Lacarro, a theatre professional of national reputation and a member of the original cast, Ragtime will touch the heart and spirit in a production and venue you will long remember.” 

 

Two season subscription packages are offered this year. The COMPLETE PACKAGE is the best value!  This package offers tickets to all nine main stage productions throughout the season.  The more modest VARIETY PACKAGE allows patrons to sample each of the four types of production including a musical, opera, dance, and drama production.

 

Great rates are offered on our season subscriptions with a savings of over 20% off individual ticket prices!  COMPLETE PACKAGE prices are adult $175, discount* $135, and student $75. The VARIETY PACKAGE is priced at adult $90, discount* $70, and student $40. The discounted adult rate is offered for senior adults 60 and over, OU faculty and staff, and military personnel.

 

Enjoy the thrill of LIVE entertainment at University Theatre.  Our productions are rich with the talent, dedication, and professionalism of the amazing students who train at The University of Oklahoma. The University Theatre subscription form and information are available at theatre.ou.edu; or visit or call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101. The box office is located in the Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd St. Norman, OK 73019.  Hours are 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Deadline for ordering a season subscription is Sept. 17.

 

The University of Oklahoma

University Theatre 2015-2016 Season

Arcadia

By Tom Stoppard, Alissa Mortimer, director

8 p.m. Sept. 18, 19, 24-26, and 3 p.m. Sept. 20, 27, Weitzenhoffer Theatre

Stoppard’s Tony® and Olivier® Award-winning masterpiece is a force of nature with its rich, ravishing comedy of wit, intellect, language and emotion. Like its subjects — time, knowledge, love — its themes are eternal.

Acts of War Three One-Act Operas

by Bohuslav Martinů, John Adams, and Franz Schubert

Jonathan Shames, conductor and artistic director, William Ferrara, stage director

8 p.m. Sept. 24-26, and 3 p.m. Sept. 27, Reynolds Performing Arts Center

School of Music’s Opera Theatre presents Martinü’s Comedy on the Bridge, with a comic-Kafkaesque scenario, while Adams’ The Wound Dresser, a setting of Whitman’s horrifyingly real Civil War poem, brings us deep into its misery. The age-old war between the sexes is the subject of Schubert’s Domestic Warfare, a beautiful and rarely-performed opera. All operas performed in English.

Ragtime*

Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Book by Terrence McNally

Joe Locarro, guest director, Richard Zielinski, music director

8 p.m. Oct. 15-17, and 3 p.m. Oct. 18, Rupel J. Jones Theatre

(*Special university-wide musical, separate from season subscription.)

A glorious story bursting with energy, this Tony® Award-winning musical is an enduring celebration of American life — the music of something beginning, an era exploding, a century spinning.

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien

Richard J. Hinds, guest director and choreographer

8 p.m. Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 5, 6, and 11:30 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 6, 7, Weitzenhoffer Theatre

That sweet transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his motley crew are having a party of galactic proportions. It’s a kinky, sci-fi funfest rockin’ your galaxy this fall!  Rated R

The Nutcracker

Choreography by Mary Margaret Holt, music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

8 p.m. Dec. 4- 6, 10-12, and 3 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, Rupel Jones Theatre

Oklahoma Festival Ballet will enchant audiences with this beloved holiday classic featuring a magical dream of swirling snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and a handsome Prince with the Sugar Plum Fairy presiding graciously over it all. Rated G, great for the entire family!

Young Choreographers’ Showcase

8 p.m. Jan. 28-30, and 3 p.m. Jan. 31, Rupel Jones Theatre

Imaginative student choreographers from the School of Dance create a production of dynamic and exciting dance works from classic to contemporary in collaboration with student lighting designers from the Helmerich School of Drama.  Rated G 

The Trojan Women

By Euripides, Susan Shaughnessy, director

8 p.m. Feb. 12, 13, 18-20, and 3 p.m. Feb. 14, 21, Weitzenhoffer Theatre

The Helmerich School of Drama presents Euripides’ dramatic account of the havoc and ravages of the Trojan War and the noble women who survive it.

Eugene Onegin

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Jonathan Shames, conductor and artistic director, William Ferrara, stage director

8 p.m. March 3-5, and 3 p.m. March 6, Reynolds Performing Arts Center

Tchaikovsky’s music is a masterpiece of operatic lyricism in this tragic love story.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan

8 p.m. April 8, 9, 15, 16, and 3 p.m. April 10, 17, Rupel Jones Theatre

The Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre presents the six-time Tony® Award-winning musical comedy love story. Millie is the perfect all-singing, all-dancing musical entertainment!

Contemporary Dance Oklahoma

Featuring choreography by Austin Hartel, Ilya Kozadayev and guest choreographers

8 p.m. April 29, 30, May 5, 6, and 3 p.m. May 1, 7, Reynolds Performing Arts Center

Energetic and extraordinary modern dance works by resident choreographers Austin Hartel and Ilya Kozadayev,  joined by talented guest choreographers, will inspire and delight audiences with their artistic power and creative vision.

 Rated PG