UH School of Theatre & Dance Announces 2013 - 14 Season

Productions Include ‘The Beaux’ Stratagem,’ ‘Blood Wedding,’ ‘Our Country’s Good,’ ‘Philadelphia Story’

The University of Houston’s School of Theatre & Dance is preparing for another performance season filled with classics, cutting edge works and contemporary dance.

Highlights of the 2013 – 2014 season include George Farquhar’s comic classic “The Beaux’ Stratagem,” Federico García Lorca’s tragedy “Blood Wedding,” Thomas Wertenbaker’s drama “Our Country’s Good” and Philip Barry’s popular comedy “The Philadelphia Story.”

Season subscriptions are on sale now for $60. Tickets for individual plays will be available in September. Performances are in UH’s Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre and the Jose Quintero Theatre. For additional details, call 713-743-2929 or visit the box office website.

The following plays are included in the school’s subscription series.

  • Oct. 4 – 13: “The Beaux’ Stratagem” by George Farquhar – directed by Adam Noble

A pair of playboys – Archer and Aimwell – are on the make for a wealthy heiress. While masquerading as lord and servant, they both find sincere friendship and romance with some young ladies. A number of obstacles stand in each couple’s way including a hateful husband, a protective mother and a love-struck lady. (Performed in the Wortham Theatre)

  • Oct. 25 – Nov. 3: “Blood Wedding” by Federico García Lorca – directed by Keith Byron Kirk

A dangerous romantic triangle is at the heart of this classic tragedy. A woman is caught between her true love and her bridegroom. Fueling this fire is a blood feud between the lover and husband. (Performed in the Jose Quintero Theatre)

  • Nov. 22 – 24, Dec. 6 - 7: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson – directed by Jon Egging  

When six of the worst behaved children decide to attend church for the first time, they are wrangled into a holiday program. The event's organizers soon discover that their rowdy new cast members may very well destroy the event. (Theatre for Young Audiences performance performed in the Wortham Theatre)

  • Dec. 6 – 7: Emerging Choreographers Showcase featuring works choreographed by UH dance students. A new class of choreographers unveils new moves at UH. (Performed in the Jose Quintero Theatre)
  • Feb. 21 – March 2: “Our Country’s Good” by Timberlake Wertenbaker – directed by Jack Young

Prisoners in a penal colony are tasked with producing the play “The Recruiting Officer.” Rehearsals offer some hope and humanity within the brutal prison confines. As the convicts are liberated while learning their lines, they are frequently reminded that they are still far from freedom. (Performed in the Jose Quintero Theatre)

  • March 28 – 30: UH Ensemble Dance Works

Members of Houston’s dance community present new works at UH. (Performed in the Wortham Theatre)

  • April 18 – 27: “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry – directed by Carolyn Houston Boone

The Broadway and film smash that launched Katherine Hepburn’s career arrives at UH. The classic comedy centers on a socialite bride-to-be, whose wedding plans are complicated by the arrival of her ex-husband and a tabloid journalist. (Performed in the Wortham Theatre)


                  Additional productions include:

  • Nov. 15 – 17: “Brick Wall” by Vic Shuttee – directed by Rob Shimko (Actors Studio show performed in the Jose Quintero Theatre)
  • April 4 – 6: New Play Festival featuring works by UH students.

 

The UH School of Theatre and Dance produces pre-professional plays, dance concerts, studio productions, a new play festival and school shows through the Theatre for Young Audiences program. The school performs in the Wortham Theatre and the Quintero Theatre. The Houston Shakespeare Festival is a professional project of the school, which is produced each summer at Miller Outdoor Theatre. The UH School of Theatre & Dance offers bachelor’s and master's degrees in theater and teacher certifications in dance and theatre. Its graduate program consists of a master of arts in theatre and master of fine arts in theatre with specializations in acting, directing and design.  Alumni include actors Dennis Quad, Jim Parsons, Cindy Pickett, Brett Cullen and Robert Wuhl. Faculty includes Tony Award-winning producer Stuart Ostrow and Tony-nominated designer Kevin Rigdon. Among the greats who have taught at the school in previous years are Lanford Wilson, Sir Peter Hall and Jose Quintero. In 2012, the school was named “Best College Theater” in the Houston Press Theater Awards. For details on UH's School of Theatre & Dance, visit www.theatredance.uh.edu.

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