25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: July 8-24

Save the date for University Theatre's summer musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, July 8-24, 2010 at the Mtichell Theatre.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a hip one-act musical comedy, which follows six young people in the throes of puberty.

The show centers around a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School.  The six quirky adolescents compete in the Bee, run by three equally quirky grown-ups. Throughout the show the misfits learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser.

Tickets are $14-$20 and are available by calling the Box Office at 608-265-ARTS or buying them online at utmadison.com

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Into the Woods: April 16-May 1

Into the Woods
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Pam Kriger
Musical Direction by Scott Foss

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The Lady from the Sea: March 19-April 10 at Hemsley Theatre

Whitney Derendinger as Dr. Wangel and Annelise Dickinson as Ellida in University Theatre' production of The Lady from the Sea, March 19-April 10, 2010. Photo: Brent Nicastro

The Lady from the Sea
by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Pam Gems

Directed by Jeremy Thomas Poulsen
at Hemsley Theatre

The stranger’s return was Ellida’s worst fear.

After a mysterious lost love resurfaces, Ellida Wangel, a young wife in the midst of marital turmoil, struggles to act "of her own free will" when faced with the choice between her family and her heart. 

Ibsen’s psychological drama explores the plight of nineteenth century women through Ellida's difficult dilemma.

Performance dates: 3/19, 20,25,26,27 and 4/8,9,10 at 7:30 pm and 3/21 at 2 pm
Pre-performance lecture: 3/25 at 6:30 pm
Post-performance discussion: 4/8

Tickets available through University Theatre.

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Narukami - The Thunder God opens today

Narukami - The Thunder God opens today at University Theatre.

The production was recently featured in 77 Square 'Strike a pose: University introduces kabuki style with two plays'

Narukami - The Thunder God
Hemsley Theatre, Vilas Hall, 821 University Ave
Today through Saturday, March 13. Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; one matinee on Sunday, March 7, at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $18 seniors, $14 students.  For more information, visit utmadison.com

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Narukami - The Thunder God opens February 26

Narukami, Feb. 26-March 13 at the University Theatre.

Narukami - The Thunder God, sponsored by The Isthmus
February 26-March 13, 2010 at Mitchell Theatre

Adapted by James Brandon, Directed by David Furumoto

Rain has ceased, and the land is parched with drought. The Emperor calls on beautiful Princess Taema to break Narukami’s curse and return rainfall to the kingdom, but will Taema’s great beauty be able to overcome the spells of the mystical hermit, Narukami?

Complete with exquisite costuming, dance, comedy, and classic Kabuki performance, Narukami- Thunder God promises to be a feast for the senses.

Narukami is a tale of a powerful ascetic Buddhist Priest by the same name, who makes a deal with the Emperor to insure that a healthy male heir would be born unto the throne, and in exchange, the Emperor would grant Narukami anything he wishes.

Performance dates: 2/26, 27 and 3/4 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 at 7:30 PM and 3/7 at 2 PM

Pre-performance lecture with Professor Charo D'Etcheverry from the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature at Mitchell Theatre Lobby: 3/4 at 6:30 PM.  Post-performance discussion: 3/11

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RENT actor visits University Theatre, students

Shana Lewis (President of Friends of University Theatre), RENT actor Anthony Rapp and UW Professor Michael Peterson (theatre and drama).

Anthony Rapp, who originated the role of Mark in the Pulitzer-prize winning musical RENT, visited a group of Theatre and Drama students January 28th on campus.

Rapp was touring with RENT and was in town for the production at the Overture Center. 

Hosted by the Friends of University Theatre, Rapp spoke to students and participated in a terrific Q&A in the Mitchell Theatre.

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'Blood Wedding' sizzling trailer on YouTube

"Better dead with the blood drained away than alive with it rotting."

Passions run high in this visceral and brooding tragedy.

Set in the Spanish countryside, Blood Wedding chronicles a tragic couple as they navigate social mores, economic hardship, and generational expectations, ultimately facing insurmountable odds in their desire to live and love.

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