WFU announces 2001-2002 theater schedule with new show times, lengths of runs

Wake Forest University Theatre has announced its 2001-02 theater season schedule, with some changes to the established format. The season’s annual offerings will not change, but the times and runs for shows will be different.

The 2001-2002 season will include four MainStage productions and the Studio Series of eight one-act plays.

Evening shows will be moved from 8 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the run for each will be one week, instead of consecutive weekends. Matinees will remain at 2 p.m. for shows with runs that include Sundays.

The scheduling changes will increase rehearsal time and reduce conflicts between multiple productions, said John Friedenberg, director of theatre. The new curtain times were chosen in accordance with national theater trends, and to increase attendance by commuting audience members.

The MainStage series is produced by the Wake Forest Theatre Department with casting open to all students. This season’s MainStage productions will be:

John Guare’s “House of Blue Leaves,” directed by J.K. Curry. (Oct. 3-7)

Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Sharon Andrews. (Nov. 7-9 with shows at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 10 with shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.).

Sam Shepard’s “A Lie of the Mind,” directed by Cindy Gendrich. (Feb. 20-24)

“The Secret Garden,” adapted from the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, directed by Brook Davis. (April 12-13, 17-21)

Season tickets for the MainStage season are $36; $30 for senior citizens, Wake Forest faculty and staff; and $15 for students. Season tickets include free admission to the Studio Series. Individual tickets for MainStage shows are $12; $5 for students.

The Studio Series of one-act plays directed by theatre majors will also continue with two plays in each of four runs. Productions for this series have not yet been chosen. Shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. The dates will be:

  • Series 1: Feb. 4 and 5.
  • Series 2: Feb. 18 and 19.
  • Series 3: March 4 and 5.
  • Series 4: April 15 and 16.

Tickets are $2 each for non-season subscribers.

The Anthony Aston Players, a student theater group, will again produce their student-directed shows this year. Their productions, which begin at 7:30 p.m., are not part of the Wake Forest Theatre Department season. Aston Players’ productions will include:

  • “All in the Timing” by David Ives. (Sept. 20-22)
  • “Boys Next Door” by Tom Griffin. (Nov. 29-Dec. 1)
    Ticket prices are $5; $3 for students.

For more information about the 2001-2002 season and the Anthony Aston Players productions, call the Wake Forest Theatre Department at 336-758-5294, or visit its Web site, http://www.wfu.edu/Academic-departments/Theatre/.

Categories: Arts & Culture