Dinner Theater Kicks Off Season of Diversity
By Melissa Green
Hardin-Simmons University Department of Theatre presents a diverse season of works as part of its 2009-2010 season. The season will feature the traditional fall and spring dinner theatres and the annual children's show, along with a unique off-campus production honoring an Abilene Landmark.
The season will begin with the fall dinner theatre production of the classic Southern drama Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling.
The play focuses on a group of women in Louisiana who spend their days at the local beauty shop talking, but in the end shows a stronger connection between the women besides their interest in gossip. Steel Magnolias is directed by Melissa Green and assistant director Jaclyn Rosbrugh. It will run the weekends of September 24th-26th and October 1st-4th.
The next production will be Museum by Tina Howe, October 29th-31st in The Grace Museum's Main Gallery. This production focuses on patrons and employees within a museum and will have no better location than Abilene's own Grace! This production will be in association with The Grace Museum's Centennial Celebration and is directed by Melissa Green.
The final production of the fall semester will be the family favorite Alice in Wonderland, based on the classic story by Lewis Carroll. Patrons will be able to join Alice through her trip down the rabbit hole and meet classic characters such as The Mad Hatter, The Red Queen and the Caterpillar. Alice in Wonderland will be directed by senior theatre education major Hope Hayes and will run November 19th-21st and December 3rd-5th.
The spring dinner theatre will be the beloved musical Once Upon a Mattress, Music by Mary Rodgers, Lyrics by Marshall Barer and Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer and Dean Fuller.
The story follows Princess Winifred as she is tested to be the bride of one Price Dauntless and features well-known songs such as "Shy" and "In A Little While." Once Upon a Mattress, is directed by Melissa Green featuring musical direction by Dr. Jaynne Middleton and runs February 25th-27th and March 4th-8th.
It will be HSU's entry into the Christian University Theatre Festival to be held March 8-10, 2010 on the Hardin-Simmons campus.
The Down Center Stage Lab Production will be Mindy Kaling ("The Office") and Brenda Withers's farcical play Matt & Ben. The play looks into the creation of the Academy Award winning screenplay "Good Will Hunting" and its creators Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The comedy of the play, however, is found in the fact that Matt & Ben are portrayed by women. Directed by senior theatre major Adam Singleton, Matt & Ben will run April 8th-10th.
The season will end with DirectFest, the directing class of 2010's one-act play festival. Dates and titles for these shows will be announced at a later date.
Season tickets are available now for only $40, granting one admission to each mainstage production, including both dinner theatre productions. For more information on season tickets or the 2009-2010 Season, contact the HSU Theatre Box Office (325) 670-1405.
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