Wake Forest University announces 2004-2005 theatre schedule

The season kicks off with “The Secret Rapture” by British playwright David Hare. Directed by Brook Davis, Wake Forest assistant professor of theatre, the 1988 play is a family drama that addresses questions of integrity, family, the pursuit of wealth and the fragility of human relationships. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24-25 and Sept. 29-Oct. 2 and 2 p.m. Oct. 3.

“Catch-22,” written by Joseph Heller, is a stage adaptation of Heller’s best-selling 1960s novel by the same name. It is a fast-paced satire that focuses on the horrors and insanity of war. The play will be directed by Sharon Andrews, associate professor of theatre. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29-30 and Nov. 3-6 and 2 p.m. Nov. 7.

In the spring semester, the theatre department will present a Timberlake Wertenbaker adaptation of “Antigone” written by Sophocles and directed by Cindy Gendrich, associate professor of theatre. “Antigone” is the ancient story of a woman named Antigone and the conflict that arises when she defies her Uncle Kreon’s edict not to bury her slain brother. The conflict becomes a battle between patriotism and religion, and the play is a poignant look at the consequences of allegiances. Show dates are Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 16-19 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.

The season will conclude with Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” directed by John E.R. Friedenberg, director of theatre. One of Shakespeare’s most loved comedies, the play follows the journeys of a pair of shipwrecked young twins, each believing the other is dead. This show will run April 1-2 and April 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 at 2 p.m. The theatre season line-up also includes Wake Forest’s traditional Studio Series of one-act plays directed by theatre majors. All Studio Series plays are held in the Ring Theatre of Scales Fine Arts Center.

Studio Series I includes “The Actor’s Nightmare” by Christopher Durang, “Hidden in this Picture” by Aaron Sorkin and “Blind Date” by Horton Foote scheduled for Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.

Studio Series II, featuring “Life Under Water” by Richard Greenberg and “The Dying Daul” by Craig Lucas, will run Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m.

Jean Genet’s “The Maids” and Jose Rivera’s “The Winged Man” make up the performances for Studio Series III. Performances will be Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 4:30 p.m.

Season tickets are available by mail (P.O. Box 7264, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109) or at the University Box Office in the theater lobby of Scales Fine Arts Center.

Adult season tickets are $36; $30 for senior citizens, Wake Forest faculty and staff; and $15 for students. Tickets for individual performances cost $12; $5 for students. Studio Series tickets are free for season ticket holders and $2 each for non-season subscribers.

The Anthony Aston Players, a student theatre group separate from the Wake Forest theatre and dance department, will again produce their student-directed shows this spring. Productions have not yet been chosen, but the dates are Feb. 24-26 and April 14-16. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Ring Theatre. The Anthony Aston Players’ productions are not included in subscription packages. Tickets are available at the door for $5; $3 for students.

For more information, call the Wake Forest theatre and dance department at 336-758-5295 or visit the theatre web site.