The opening of another fall term at West Virginia University means its time for a new season of public performances by the Division of Theatre and Dance. The 2006-2007 season opens Sept. 29 withA Flea in Her Ear,a hilarious comedy by Georges Feydeau about a young wife who is convinced her husband is being unfaithful.
Prepare for an evening of sheer delight at director Philip Beck of the theatre faculty takes his cast of WVU student actors through the twists and turns of this classic French bedroom farce. The wife decides to trap her husband at a disreputable hotel called The Pretty Pussy Inn, in order to uncover his infidelity. She enlists her best friend to write a letter luring him to the hotel for a rendezvous. Chaos ensues when the friends husband�€a fiery, hot-blooded Spaniard�€intercepts the letter and suspects his wife of being unfaithful to him.
A Flea in Her Earwill be performed in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the Creative Arts Center Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 3-7. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. nightly. There will also be two matinee performances at 2 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 8.
Georges Feydeau is recognized by many critics as the only legitimate successor to Moliere as the king of French comedy. Born in Paris in 1862, he was writing comic monologues in his twenties. He began to study great farcical plays around 1890 and proceeded to produce a string of hits at the famous Commedie Francais, includingA Flea in Her Ear,which was first produced in 1907.
WVU students in the cast include: Steven Gibbs; Denice Burbach; Dan Stevens; Jon Redding; Alex Pawlowski; J.W. Walton; Suzanne Lawrence; Vance Barber; Samantha Clay; Tom Hinman; Alex Gadd; Jason Scott; Veronda Carey; and Krista Prokopchuk.
The scenery for this two-set production was designed by faculty member Robert Klingelhoefer; the belle époque costumes are by graduate student Trevor Bowen; and lighting design is by graduate student Kyle Stewart.
There will be two preview nights for this play, Sept. 27 and 28, with tickets available at a reduced price.
In addition, anUpfront&Backstagepre-show presentation will take place prior to the Oct. 1 matinee. This presentation, which begins at 12:30 p.m., will allow the audience to meet the people behind the scenes, tour backstage, and visit the shops where scenery, props, lighting and costumes are created. The presentation will begin in the lobby of the Gladys Davis Theatre and is free and open to the public.
Other shows to be presented by the Division of Theatre and Dance this season include:
November 3-11:Blood Relations by Sharon Pollock, a fascinating historical drama about the infamous Lizzie Borden, accused of killing her father and stepmother. Using an interesting theatrical style wherein a modern-day actress attempts to understand Lizzies story, the play drifts between the present and the past and leaves the audience the task of deciding�€did she, or didnt shegive her mother forty whacks?
Dec. 8-10:The Ice Wolf , by Joanna Halpert Kraus, an exciting adventure for the young and young at heart about a child exiled by her people, the Inuit natives of Canada, because she isthe different one.This show will take place at the Metropolitan Theatre in downtown Morgantown, which will be filled with ice, snow, and fantastical characters.
The spring 2007 season will open with the annual Dance Concert (January 8-10), presented by theatre and dance students, faculty, and members of the Orchesis Dance Ensemble, under the direction of new WVU dance director Heather Ahern. The concert will also feature the choreography of a talented professional guest artist.
March 16-24:Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill, one of Britains most controversial and innovative dramatists, brings to the stage the witchcraft trials of early modern Europe and the persistent English and Irish folklore of that time. This disturbing drama about the consequences of unrequited love is for mature audiences.
The final show of the season, to be held April 18-22, will be announced at a later date. For updates about any of the shows, see the Division website atwww.ccarts.wvu.edu.
Tickets for each of the 2006-2007 Division of Theatre and Dance performances are $15 for the general public and $12 for WVU faculty and staff, senior citizens, students and children.
For tickets or more information, call the Mountainlair or Creative Arts Center Box Offices at (304) 293-SHOW. Special ticket prices are available for groups of 10 or more.