April 10, 2014

Free shows finish spring theater season

by Vincent Rhomberg

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Carbondale Department of Theater brings the spring semester to a finish with a flurry of free performances.  All of the performances are in venues within the Communications Building.           

Here’s what’s coming: 

• “Hamlet” Saturday, April 12, 7 p.m., C.H. Moe Theater -- Directed and edited by graduate student Patrick B. McGregor II, this condensed version of William Shakespeare’s powerful play is told by Hamlet. This performance compresses the Prince of Denmark’s grief and rage as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder, telling a story of madness, treachery and moral corruption.  

• “Directing Scenes,” May 1, 7 p.m., C. H. Moe Theater -- This is an evening of short scenes directed by students in the Theater 402 directing class and features a variety of styles and stories.  The evening showcases the directing techniques students learned during the semester.  

• Musical Theater Workshop presentation, May 2, 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theater -- Rock out with this evening of pop and rock musical theater selections staged and performed by Musical Theater Workshop students, along with choreography and staging by Timothy Fink, professor in the School of Music, and Mark Allen Davis, a lecturer in the Department of Theater.  Musical numbers include selections from “In the Heights,” “Memphis,” “The Wiz,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Next to Normal,” “Spring Awakening,” “Miss Saigon,” and “Once on this Island.” 

• “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” May 3, 2 p.m., C. H. Moe Theater -- Steve Martin’s light-hearted play is directed by graduate student Nicholas Radcliffe, who has deconstructed the script to focus on Picasso’s artistic evolution and the importance of a muse in the creation of art.  This is a qualifying thesis directing production. 

For more information, contact the Department of Theater office at 618/453-5741.