YSU Theater and Dance announces 2018-2019 season
The department of Theater and Dance announces its upcoming 2018-2019 season, which includes a diverse array of shows.
"Our mainstage offerings this season include the hilariously spooky The Addams Family: The Musical; Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize winning play How I Learned to Drive; the annual Spring Dance Concert; and a very exciting partnership with the Dana School of Music to bring to life, James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s magical, Into the Woods,” noted Matthew Mazuroski, chair of the department of Theater and Dance.
“Interspersed throughout the season we are also offering innovative performance opportunities for our students that include two cabarets featuring our BFA Musical Theater students, our Acting I/Directing I student collaboration: Ten-Minute Plays, and the Second Annual Festival of New Work that highlight our students’ creativity in film, dance, and theatre,” he continued.
Season subscriptions for adults are $60, and are available for purchase by calling the University Theater Box Office at 330-941-3105 or emailing lafactor@ysu.edu. Discounts are also available for YSU Alumni, Penguin Club and Regional Chamber members, YSU faculty and staff and retirees, and non-YSU students. University Theater performances are free for YSU students.
The 2018-2019 season marks the 55th consecutive year of University Theater’s existence as a theater producing agency on the YSU campus. The mission embraces the study of theatre, dance, and film as a form of artistic expression, but does not lose sight of the fact that it is also an instrument of communication, capable of opening windows to the past, present, and future; examining the workings of modern society, enhancing the awareness of other cultures, and stimulating thinking about moral and ethical issues. The artistic forms of Theatre, Film, and Dance strengthen and rebuild a sense of empathy, allowing patrons to step outside the mundane and enter the realm of the sublime, reminding the audience of its fundamental humanity.
Mazuroski reminded patrons that joining the Friends of University Theater helps to support the faculty, staff, and students continue to produce innovative, creative, and evocative theatre for the entire community. Contact Matthew Mazuroski at (330) 941-3810 for more information about giving opportunities.
2018-2019 season includes:
The Addams Family
Book by Marshall Brickman & Eric Elice
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
October 19, 20, 26 and 27– 7:30 p.m.
Sundays, October 21 and 28 – 2:00 p.m.
Ford Theater
Everyone’s favorite macabre family of creepy kooks comes to devilishly delightful life in this new and original comedy. Living in their super-spooky mansion in Central Park, The Addams family, led by the elegantly gaunt and seemingly undead Morticia and her ever-devoted husband Gomez, is in turmoil. Their daughter Wednesday, now 18, finds herself falling in love—a sensation that is unsettling for both her and her family of endearing misfits. When the teen invites her new boyfriend, Lucas Beineke, over with his “normal” family to get better acquainted with the Addams household, comic chaos ensues.
How I Learned to Drive
By Paula Vogel
November 9, 10, 16 and 17– 7:30 p.m.
Sundays, November 11 and 18– 2:00 p.m.
Spotlight Theater
Buckle up; it’s going to be a bumpy ride. How I Learned to Drive is a story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel. Paula Vogel's new play is a wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival, a sexual coming of age through the 60's, 70's and 80's as seen through the provocative lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. Vogel takes us on a no-holds-barred trip with a deeply compassionate look at how we are shaped by the people who hurt us. Come experience the 20th anniversary of this 1998 Pulitzer Prize winning play. Contains Strong Language and Adult Themes
Ten-Minute Plays
Coordinated by Matthew Mazuroski
December 9 - 7:00 p.m.
Spotlight Theater
Join us for the seventh annual evening of Ten-Minute plays showcasing the student directors and actors in these workshop productions. The directors will explore the foundations of story-telling and develop their skills in working with actors on these exciting and innovative scripts. Free Admission. No reservations taken.
YSU’s Dance Ensemble in Concert
Coordinated by Amy Wright
Thursday, February 28, Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2– 7:30 p.m.
No Sunday Performance
Ford Theater
The YSU Department of Theater and Dance presents the YSU Dance Ensemble in concert. This concert will showcase student choreographers and performers in a variety of genres from Ballet and Modern to Tap and Jazz. This event will be coordinated by Amy Wright, head of the Dance Program.
Into the Woods
Book by James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
April 12, 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
No Sunday show on Easter Sunday, April 21
Ford Theater
The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece... and a rare modern classic. The wonderfully creative book and score are both enchanting and touching. A masterful commentary surrounding one simple, famous saying: be careful what you wish for. Come experience the charm and magic of this multiple Tony and Drama Desk Award winning musical!
Festival of New Work
Coordinated by Matthew Mazuroski
April 26 and 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Spotlight Theater
Parking is available for a nominal fee in the M30 Wick Avenue parking deck.
Join us for the second annual Festival of New Works that highlights and honors student creativity in playwriting, choreography, designing, filmmaking, directing, and acting. Featuring short plays, films, musical theatre & dance choreography, devised work, and PUPPETS! A student or students will be selected to win the Molly & Sam Galano Creativity Award. All donations will support the award endowment to provide students with even more opportunities in generating new, original work. Free Admission. No reservations taken.
These additional shows are not included in the season ticket price, and are separate fundraisers benefitting Musical Theater program initiatives.
MisCast Cabaret
Coordinated by Dr. Maria Fenty Denison
September 28 -7:00 p.m.
Eleanor Beech Flad Pavilion
DeYor Performing Arts Center
Tickets are $25 each and are available by calling: 330-744-4269
Parking is available in adjacent lots for a nominal fee.
Join YSU’s Department of Theater and Dance in an oddball celebration of all things musical theatre. Enjoy both the unusual and the unexpected as popular musical theatre songs are performed, in sometimes surprising casting. Spend the evening with loads of smiles. All proceeds from the cabaret will benefit the Musical Theater Program and initiatives.
Cabaret Unrequited
Coordinated by Dr. Maria Fenty Denison
February 15 – 7:00 p.m.
Eleanor Beech Flad Pavilion
DeYor Performing Arts Center
Tickets are $25 each and are available by calling: 330-744-4269
Parking is available in adjacent lots for a nominal fee.
Unrequited – not reciprocated or returned. What kind of Valentine’s Day is THAT?! Anyway, who doesn’t love “another somebody done somebody wrong song”? Well, musical theatre is loaded with great ones. The Friday evening after Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to get together for some emotional support. YSU’s stellar musical theatre troupe will be back to serenade, console, and musically heal whatever ails. Join us. We’ll be there for you – we promise. All proceeds from the cabaret will benefit the Musical Theater Program and initiatives.