UW School of Drama


Gift to UW School of Drama

Gift to UW School of Drama

Current Theatre Season Information
2008-2009

Fall 2008 | Winter 2009 | Spring 2009

Fall 2008

Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare
directed by Richard E.T. White

October 26-November 9
Meany Studio Theatre

Twelfth Night

Spinning a tale of tangled romance which explores the complications resulting when gender identity and the fever of love collide, Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.  Viola and her brother are separated by a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a boy, is mistaken for her brother, and falls in love with her employer in this festive story about the thorny path to love.

Music student jazzes up New Orleans-style 'Twelfth Night'
(University Week article; October 23, 2008)
Watch the evolution of the set for Twelfth Night 12th Night Image
Production Photos 12th Night Image


The Quick Change Room
by Nagle  Jackson
directed by Mark Jenkins

December 1-14
Penthouse Theatre

The Quick Change Room

In this hilarious and powerful comedy, the Kuzlov Theatre and its denizens struggle with the new challenges of capitalism.  But a fresh production of Chekhov's The Three Sisters will surely turn things around.  However, they soon discover even this masterpiece isn't safe when it becomes clear the
changing economy dictates a "guaranteed hit."

School of Drama peeks behind the Iron Curtain with powerful comedy, 'The Quick-Change Room'
(University Week article: November 20, 2008)
Production Photos Test Image 1


Fall 2008 | Winter 2009 | Spring 2009

Big Love
by Charles Mee
directed by Desdemona Chiang

February 1-15
Meany Studio Theatre

Big Love

Classical drama meets modern-day excess in this fiercely entertaining adaptation of Aeschylus' The Suppliant Maidens. When fifty brides flee their fifty grooms to avoid forced marriages, the contemporary battle lines of the war between the sexes erupts in total chaos. A collision of pop music, ancient myths and romance, Big Love unabashedly proves that, in the end, love conquers all.

'Big Love' a sprawling, brawling story of 50 runaway brides
(University Week article; January 29, 2009)

Video trailer for Big Love on YouTube

Production Photos Production Photo


Blithe Spirit
by Noël Coward
directed by Scott Hafso

February 15-March 1
Penthouse Theatre

Blithe Spirit

Seeking material for his new novel, Charles invites an eccentric spiritualist into his house. But the last thing he or his second wife Ruth anticipates is that the séance will conjure up the ghost of his first wife---a ghost who wants Charles all to herself! Hilarity, chaos and surprises ensue, in this "improbable farce" from the master of sophisticated comedy.

A funny look at the afterlife in Noel Coward's 'Blithe Spirit'
(University Week article; February 12, 2009)

Blithe Spirit: Witty, engaging play from UW School of Drama
(The Daily article; February 19, 2009)

Preproduction Photos of Blithe Spirit.Blithe Spirit Photo 1 Blithe Spirit Photo 2 Blithe Spirit Photo 3 Blithe Spirit Photo 4 Blithe Spirit Photo 5 Blithe Spirit Photo 6


Our Town
by Thornton Wilder
directed by Andrew Tsao

March 1-15
Jones Playhouse

Our town

As our undergraduates discover their own generation’s perspective on one of America’s most beloved plays, you too may rediscover what it means to be a community, family and a society. In this Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece, Our Town explores the simple beauty and fragile elegance of ordinary lives and our connection to each other.

Renovated, renamed Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse reopening with Thornton Wilder's classic 'Our Town' (University Week article; February 26, 2009)

Fall 2008 | Winter 2009 | Spring 2009

The Two Orphans
by Adolphe D'Ennery and Eugene Cormon
directed by Jeffrey Fracé

April 26-May 10
Meany Studio Theatre

Melo (not mellow) drama - see pictures from rehearsal and read an interview with director Jeffrey Fracé - (University Week article, April 23, 2009)

Victorian Melodrama

Originating in 19th century France, the Melodrama has influenced everything from silent films to the modern day soap opera. With charismatic actors, sensational plots, and "over the top" acting, this was theatre for the people. Bring your handkerchiefs and weep for the fallen heroine, curse the blows of misfortune, and cheer the triumph of good in this stylistic art form of a bygone era.

Production Photos Production Photo


One Act Showcase:

The American Century
by Murphy Guyer
directed by Paula Bennett

The Apollo of Bellac
by Jean Giraudoux
directed by Alyson Roux

May 24-June 7
Penthouse Theatre

One Act Plays

First-year MFA directors show their work in one-act plays (University Week, May 21, 2009)

We are thrilled to introduce you to our talented MFA directing students in their first-year showcase. Actual titles are to be announced, but under consideration are celebrated playwrights such as Wendy Wasserstein, Beth Henley, John Guare, and Craig Lucas. After this, follow these students as they hone their skills with two more mainstage shows in the following years.

See video preview.

 

University of Washington

UW School of Drama • Box 353950 • Seattle WA 98195
206.543.5140 phone • 206.543.8512 fax • uwdrama@u.washington.edu

Photo credits: Frank Rosenstein, Victoria Lahti, Adam Sanders, UTS Photographers
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