Office of Public Affairs
(315) 312-2265
Aug. 14, 2003
CONTACT: Kelly Cullinan, 312-3097
SUNY OSWEGO THEATRE SEASON TO OFFER
COMEDY, SCIENCE FICTION, OLD-TIME RADIO
OSWEGO -- Comedy, science fiction and a
re-enactment of old-time radio will be on the dial for SUNY Oswego's
2003-04 theatre season.
The season will open with Oscar Wilde's comedy of
manners, "The Importance of Being Earnest." First produced in 1895, the
play was an immediate success with audiences, noted Mark Cole,
professor and chair of theatre at SUNY Oswego.
"It is generally regarded as one of the finest light
comedies in the English language, turning courtship rituals and
arranged marriages into lively farce," Cole said. The play is directed
by Paul Savas, with scene and lighting design by Joseph Rial and
costume design by Kitty Macey; all are members of Oswego's theatre
department faculty.
"Earnest" will preview at 8 p.m. Oct. 9, continue
with 8 p.m. showings Oct. 10, 11, 17 and 18, and will wrap with a 2:30
p.m. matinee on Oct. 19. All shows will be in Tyler Hall's Waterman
Theatre.
The annual student honors production, "Italian
American Reconciliation," is a contemporary play written by John
Patrick Shanley, the author of the award-winning screenplay for
"Moonstruck." Senior theatre major Erin Naughton will direct the
production. Other students on the technical crew include costume
designer Ann Aumick and lighting designer Jessica Burgess.
The play, which takes place in New York's Little
Italy, is the story of Huey Bonfigliano, who wants his ex-wife Janice
back even though she brought him nothing but "heartbreak, screaming,
bad food and a dead dog," Cole said. "It is a wise and funny tale that
revolves around the desperation, lunacy and passion that accompany
desire."
This student honors production in Tyler Hall's lab
theatre will preview at 8 p.m. Nov. 18. Its run will continue with 8
p.m. curtains Oct. 19 to 22 and a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 23.
The first production of the spring semester will be
an adaptation of two stories by Ray Bradbury. "The Traveler" and "The
April Witch" were originally written in the 1940s and tell the story of
the unusual Cecy Elliott and her family. "The Traveler" is a tale of an
exacting and violent revenge with a twist and "The April Witch" is
romantic story of first love and desire, said Cole, who is the adaptor
and director of the production. The scene design is by Rial, lighting
design by Johan Godwaldt, costume design by Macey, and choreography by
Cheryl Wilkins-Mitchell, an adjunct dance instructor at SUNY Oswego.
The Bradbury adaptations in Waterman Theatre will
premiere with an 8 p.m. preview on Feb. 26, followed by 8 p.m.
performances Feb. 27 and 28 and March 5 and 6, wrapping with a 2 p.m.
matinee on March 7.
Tickets for all of the above plays cost $10 for the
general public, $9 for seniors and students, $7 for SUNY Oswego
students. Tickets are $5 for all seats for preview nights.
The season wraps with the musical "The 1940s Radio
Hour," written by Walton Jones and featuring jazz hits from the era of
World War II. Radio performers will play the hits of the day as their
characters pursue dreams of success. An onstage band, commercials and
the sound-effects booth will aim to evoke the era of live radio.
Jonel Langenfeld-Rial of theatre department will
direct the show, with musical direction by Todd Graber of the music
department. Joe Rial leads scene and lighting design, with Macey
designing costumes.
A preview for the Waterman Theatre show will start
at 8 p.m. April 22 with all seats $6. The regular run will feature 8
p.m. curtain times on April 23 and 24 and May 1, with a 2 p.m. matinee
May 2.
Tickets for the radio re-enactment are $12 for
general admission, $10 for seniors and students, $7 for SUNY Oswego
students.
The Renaissance Madrigal Banquet, presented in
connection with the music department, will feature performers in
Elizabethan costume, period music, a short play and a six-course feast.
Tickets for the banquet -- at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 --
cost $32 for general admission, $30 for seniors and students, $28 for
SUNY Oswego students.
"I Kiss the Ring of the Bearded Lady," written and
directed by Cole, will be presented at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14 in the
Tyler Hall lab theatre. Tickets are $2, with proceeds supporting
students participating in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre
Festival in January 2004.
For more information or reservations for any of the
above shows, contact Tyler Hall box office at 312-2141 or e-mail
tylerbxo@Oswego.edu.
- END -