Be prepared to be transported to a small town in Kansas, a tense conflict between old friends, and a middle school spelling bee in the 2011-2012 season of the UTC Theatre. The exciting new season begins with Pulitzer Prize winning Picnic by William Inge.
“We’re presenting a well rounded season with comedy and drama, both contemporary and classic. Audiences will be delighted with Chattanooga’s university theatre this season,” Mac Smotherman, Head of the UTC Department of Theatre and Speech, said.
Picnic tells a story of passion and desire on the Kansas plains in this classic piece of American Realism. Directed by Smotherman, Picnic will run September 30 through October 8.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical comedy based on the book by Rachel Sheinkin, will run November 11 through November 19. Directed by Gaye Jeffers, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Speech, this musical comedy centers on the trials of the young contestants in a spelling bee.
The Spring 2012 Semester begins the new performance schedule for UTC Theatre. Jane Martin’s contemporary drama, Anton in Show Business, runs February 14 through February 18. Directed by Patrick Sweetman, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Speech, this drama follows three actresses as they struggle to produce a Chekov classic in today’s theatre market.
The final production of the 2011-2012 season is The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare. The production, directed by Steve Ray, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Speech, runs from April 10 through April 14. The Winter’s Tale tells the story of how a jealous King Leontes makes a rash decision and finds redemption on the fantastic shores of Bohemia.
Lighting designer and Technical Director John R. Burgess will be joined by costume designer Sydney Roberts, scenic designer Steve Ray, and Guest Artist Larry von Werssowetz to create the productions. The UTC Theatre Company members, made up of Theatre majors, minors and interested students will fill out the casts.
The spring productions will run Tuesday through Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and include a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.
Tickets are available at the UTC Fine Arts Center Box office. Call (423) 425-4269 for information. Tickets will be available online through the Fine Arts Center website at: http://www.utc.edu/Administration/FineArtsCenter/tickets.ph
