University Theater presents "No More Peace!" in Bliss Hall

Youngstown State University Theater’s production of “No More Peace!” opens Friday, Feb. 24, and runs for two weekends in Bliss Hall’s Spotlight Theater on campus.

Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday Feb. 24, 25, 26, March 3, 4 and 5. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while the Sunday matinee performances are at 2 p.m.

The play with music by Ernst Toller is directed by C. Austin Hill, assistant professor in the YSU Department of Theater and Dance.

Adult tickets are $16. Special rate tickets are $8 for non-YSU students, YSU faculty and staff with valid ID, senior citizens, Penguin Club members and groups of eight or more. YSU student tickets are free with valid ID. Tickets are available by calling 330-941-3105 or visiting www.ysu.tix.com.

On opening night, Friday, Feb. 24, the College of Creatives Arts and Communication presents Blissful Beginnings, at 6 p.m. Patrons are invited to view an art exhibit celebrating African American History Month featuring the work of guest artist Tim Portlock in Bliss Hall’s Judith Rae Solomon Gallery on the second floor. There is no additional cost.

Written in 1935, “No More Peace!” is a satire with music. Peace has broken out on Earth; in Heaven, Napoleon bets Saint Francis of Assisi that he can prove humanity loves nothing so much as it loves the romance and danger of war. One fake telegram later, chaos ensues.

“Theater is well situated to respond to political changes and to cultural crises,” said Hill, the director. “That’s exactly what Ernst Toller was doing when he wrote ‘No More Peace!’ in 1935. Toller was Jewish who had been exiled from Germany, with his German citizenship nullified by the Nazi party. Toller’s work, and his life, had always been political, and had always been controversial—and that stance was too much for Hitler and his comrades. ‘No More Peace!’ was written as a response to Hitler’s rise to power, and a treatise against the war-mongering xenophobic nationalism inherent in fascist rule.”

The play is translated into English lyrics. Hill said he worked closely with Ian LeRoy, a graduate student in the Dana School of Music, who arranged the pieces, and, in one case where the music was missing from the script, composed an original song for Auden’s words. “LeRoy’s work has pulled this production into focus for me, and has lit a fire in the hearts of my talented cast,” Hill said.

The cast includes Ben Mowrer, Independence, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Mac Callahan, Stoutsville, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Simon Davis, Maple Heights, OH, BFA Musical Theater; AnnMarie Lowerre, Butler, PA, BFA Musical Theater; Halla Henry, Rochester, PA, BFA Musical Theater; Mia Colon, Youngstown, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Jessica Hirsh, Pepper Pike, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Sarah Mentzer, Edinburg, PA, Theater; Brooke Nobbs, Youngstown, OH, Theater; Megan Jones, Newark, OH, Theater Studies; Rosie Bresson, Canfield, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Mason Edmunds, Poland, OH, Theater Studies/Film; Josh Crank, Warren, OH, Theater Studies; Shanon Coleman, Youngstown, OH, Theater Studies; Alicia Reed, Youngstown, OH, Theater Studies; Ian McBride, Berlin Center, OH, Theater Studies; Nathan Wagner, Ambridge, PA, BFA Musical Theater; Leah Tekac, Pulaski, PA, Music; Paige Rebber, Antwerp, OH, BFA Musical Theater; Ciara Rosario, Youngstown, OH, BFA Musical Theater.

In addition, Department of Theater and Dance professional staff includes Scenic/Lighting Designer, Ellen E. Jones; Production Manager, Todd Dicken; Costume Designer, Katherine Garlick; Temporary Costume Shop Supervisor, April Rock, and Musical Director, graduate student Ian Leroy.

Parking is available in the M30 Wick Avenue parking deck via Walnut Street for a nominal fee. Patrons are advised to watch for posted detours as construction progresses on Wick Avenue.