Theatreworks announced its 2013-2014 season April 15 with new and classic works by Shakespeare, Miller, Wilson, Ives and Goldoni planned.
The season begins with Shakespeare at Rock Ledge Ranch, then travels to two 1948 backyards with “Seven Guitars” and “Death of a Salesman,” then into the living room of George Bailey, then to Conor McPherson’s bar, we meet a dominatrix in David Ives’ audition room and the season ends with a comedy in the dining room.
Of the season, artistic director Murray Ross says, “This is an ambitious season with many great, really hard, really exciting plays. There are very few theaters in the country that would take on “Cymbeline,” “Seven Guitars,” “Death of a Salesman” and “The Servant of Two Masters” in just one year. We’re proud to be one of them.”
A summary of the productions, performance dates and Prologue lectures, co-produced with the UCCS Department of Visual and Performing Arts, follows.
“Cymbelin” by William Shakespeare
Aug. 1 – 24 at Rock Ledge Ranch
In Roman Britain, renaissance Italy and western Wales, Shakespeare travels through time and space with a charming heroine, a wicket queen, a sinister seducer, a banished husband, a perfect clod and a visitor from Olympus. This is Shakespeare’s wildest and most enchanting romance and the perfect take for a Colorado summer night.
Prologue: John Douglas Thompson,2:30 p.m. Aug. 4
Thompson is considered one of the greatest Shakespearean actors in America and will kick-off the Theaterworks Summer Shakespeare Festival.
“Seven Guitars” by August Wilson
Sept. 12 – 29
In a Pittsburgh tenement, a charismatic and volatile blues singer fights for his dignity in a backyard full of song, dance, mystery, vegetables, gorgeous poetry, comedy and one doomed rooster.
Prologue: Anthony Davis, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 15
Davis is an esteemed virtuoso and will be here to about, and play blues music.
“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller
Oct. 24 – Nov. 10
Willy Loman has spent his life following his dream, only to find himself lost, out of work and at odds with the son he most loves. It is possibly America’s greatest play.
Prologue: Designing Salesman, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
Brian MacDevitt, a Tony Award-winning lighting designer, will talk with Murray Ross about the history of designing this classic American drama.
Extra Prologue: Paula Vogel, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4.
A Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Vogel will talk about her work and the UCCS student production of her play “The Mineola Twins.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life:” A Live Radio Play adapted by Joe Landry
Dec. 5-22
All his life, George Bailey has given up his dreams to help others; now he’s ready to jump off a bridge in despair. Thank heaven second class angel Charles Odbody is there to save the day. This version of the classic holiday film is staged as a 1940’s radio drama with a live audience, and promises to warm hearts all over again.
Prologue: Scott Simon, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 2013
The anchor of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday is a master of story-telling for the radio and he’ll share secrets of the trade.
“The Weir” by Conor McPherson
Jan. 23, 2014 – Feb. 9, 2014
Come into the pub for a pint and spooky stories told by local lads to entertain and impress an attractive new resident of their remote village. Then, the young woman has a story of her own, and that changes everything. A spell-binding play by a modern Irish master.
Prologue: Booze Roundtable, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 26, 2014
A discussion, and tasting, of whiskey.
UCCS student shows, co-produced with the Department of Visual and Performing Arts
“Woyzeck” by Georg Büchner
March 6 – 16, 2014
A poor, young soldier living with his mistress and unblessed child spirals downward into jealousy, apocalyptic visions and murder in a series of astonishing and jaunting scenes—a classic of German theatre.
Prologue: Kevin Landis and Robert Von Dassanowsky, 2:30 p.m. March 9, 2014
Two UCCS scholars put the play in context during a discussion of German Expressionism and Romanticism.
“Venus in Fur” by David Ives
March 20 – April 6, 2014
A domineering director has finished a long day of auditioning for his adaptation of a classic erotic novel when a mysterious woman arrives with a large bag. So begins a hilarious and very sexy ninety minutes of close encounters that will leave audiences worshiping the goddess.
Prologue: Mistress Djuna, 2:30 p.m. March 23, 2014
A leading dominatrix will discuss her profession.
“The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni
April 24 – May 11, 2014
It’s a tough gig satisfying one demanding boss, let along two—especially when neither master knows you’re doing double duty. On a perpetually empty stomach, Truffaldino pulls off the impossibe in a side-splitting classic from 18th century Venice.
Prologue: Dody DiSanto, 2:30 p.m. April 27, 2014
Renowned LeCoq-trained clown will talk about the complexities of stage clowning, in addition to a day- long workshop.
Ticket information
Early bird season tickets are $175 for all seven shows and are available until June 1. Individual tickets are $35 each. Single tickets go on sale three weeks prior to show opening.
UCCS students may attend all Theatreworks performances at no charge. Tickets for children 16 and under are $15. Group tickets (10 or more) are $35 each.
All performances take place in the Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater in University Hall with the exception of “Cymbeline” which will be presented in a tent at Rock Ledge Ranch.
For more information, visit http://www.theatreworkscs.org or call 255-3232.
--Caitlin Green, Theatreworks
The sister of Nels Jacobson, who apparently had a silent part in Cabaret, Hannah, may have assumed that his part would be more substantial. Nels does not speak German fluently, but he has an amazing knowledge of music and comedy.