JONESBORO – Arkansas State University Theatre has released its playbill for the 2013-14 season, and the lineup offers rich variety and broad appeal both for the audiences who enjoy the shows each year and those coming for the first time.
ASU Theatre productions typically run five nights, with performances at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday then resuming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all in the drama theatre of Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr. on the A-State campus. The first show will vary slightly from this schedule.
Theatre season sponsors are Brackett-Krennerich Architects and The Golden Grotto.
Well-suited for the pre-Hallowe'en season, Steven Dietz's new adaptation of "Dracula," based on the Bram Stoker novel, opens Friday, Oct. 4, followed by a midnight show on Saturday, Oct. 5, " . . . for those who dare," says the playbill. Other performances are Oct. 7, 8 and 9. Tim Bohn, assistant professor of theatre, is directing.
A more light-hearted presentation is next on the schedule, as "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," opens on Friday, Nov. 15, and continues Nov. 16, 18, 19 and 20. The musical comedy, which opened on Broadway in 1999, was written by Clark Gesner and is based on the ever-popular comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles M. Schultz. Lisa Bohn, assistant professor of theatre, will direct.
In the spring semester, the theatre students will present two stage classics.
Robert Harling's comedy "Steel Magnolias" brings a bit of small town Southern tradition to the theatre with an opening on Friday, Feb. 28, and continuing March 1, 3, 4 and 5. Molly Simpson, professor of theatre, will direct this comedy, which carries a deep message.
The season's final presentation is the French comedic farce "Tartuffe." The play by Jean Baptiste Moliere, translated by Richard Wilbur, will open Friday, April 18, and continue April 19, 21, 22 and 23. Tim Bohn will direct.
The ASU Theatre Guild, which supports the program by providing student scholarships and helping meet any special needs the department may have, will host a reception for members and their guests before the Nov. 15 and Feb. 28 opening night shows.
"We want to offer an opportunity for people who especially appreciate and enjoy the theatre experience to visit before the show and support the theatre program by being members of Theatre Guild," added Jerry Brackett, one of the founding members of the group.
Information on how to join the Guild is available through the Department of Theatre office, (870) 972‑2037.
An "opening night" season ticket package that includes all four presentations is available for $30 each through the A-State Box Office, 217 Olympic Dr., (870) 972-2781, or online at tickets.astate.edu. Tickets for individual shows are $10, or $8 if purchased in advance.
Everyone attending opening night presentations also are invited to attend a dessert reception and meet the actors in the Grand Hall of Fowler Center after the show.
"We really are expecting to set an all-time ticket sales record with this lineup," Simpson added, encouraging patrons to go ahead and order season tickets.
ASU Theatre encourages all patrons to arrive in plenty of time to be seated; latecomers will not be seated until intermission out of respect to other guests. Children under six will not be admitted.