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Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
8/22/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - For Northwestern State University's theatre program, there's no time to dwell on past success because a challenging and diverse 2000-2001 season lies ahead for the faculty and students. The schedule for 2000-2001 includes such well-known works as "Macbeth," "Waiting for Godot," "The Glass Menagerie" and "Kismet."
"This season, we will be stretching our wings. It would be easy for us to rest on our laurels and do nothing but amusing, diverting shows. But to get an accurate measurement of our program, we need to do works of stature," said NSU coordinator of theatre and artistic director Dr. Jack Wann. "The works we will perform, 'Macbeth,' 'Waiting for Godot,' 'The Glass Menagerie' and 'Kismet,' will allow us to test ourselves and move us to the next level of what we can undertake."
The season will open with "Macbeth," Shakespeare's classic tale of evil and ambition Oct. 11, 12 and 14 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Educational outreach performances for area school children will be held on Oct. 12-13.
Over the centuries, "Macbeth" has become associated with bad luck and superstition. In one of the earliest performances in 1606, an actor collapsed while performing. In 1928, there was a fire in the theatre during a performance. Sir Lawrence Olivier was nearly crushed by a falling light and three members of the company died during a run featuring Sir John Gielgud. As part of the play's lore, no member of the company can say the name "Macbeth" once rehearsal begins. Instead they refer to "The Scottish play."
"It is an enormous undertaking for us," said Wann, who will direct the play. "It is a difficult show for anyone to do. There are a number of problems inherent with the play to overcome."
After the seriousness of "Macbeth," will come the slapstick musical, "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" on Nov. 14-17 in Theatre West. Scott Burrell will direct.
The fall semester will conclude with the annual Christmas Gala on Dec. 1. There will be two evening performances at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wann will producer the Gala with Ed Brazo doing choreography, Dr. Burt Allen directing choral music and Scott York conducting the Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.
Samuel Beckett's absurdist play "Waiting for Godot" will begin the spring season Feb. 14-17 with Burrell directing.
" 'Godot' is an actor's delight," said Wann. "We look forward to seeing how audiences will react to this type of play."
The next week, the classic Tennessee Williams play, "The Glass Menagerie" will be presented in Theatre West. Dr. Vicki Parrish will direct the play which will run Feb. 20-23.
The season will conclude with the musical "Kismet" April 24-27. Michael Rorex, a member of NSU's voice faculty, will direct with choreography by Brazo and York conducting the Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.
"Kismet" is based on "The Arabian Nights" and includes songs such as "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" and "Stranger in Paradise."
"This will be the first equally demanding collaboration between the theatre and music programs," said Wann. "It will be a great challenge to take on a musical of this stature."
Technical support throughout the season will be provided by costumer Sharon Foster, set designer Tom Shorrock and lighting designer Chris Foster.
For more information on the NSU Theatre's 2000-2001 season, call (318) 357-6891.