Upcoming Theatre Productions in Denton
With the start of the new semester comes new productions put on by the local universities UNT and TWU.
This season will show the range of the University of North Texas theatre department by showcasing three unique shows.
The first show they're producing this season is a familiar story. Flowers For Algernon will be a student-directed show led be Matthew Rodriguez.
The show is about Charlie, a mentally handicapped man, receiving an operation that was initially proven to be successful after it was performed on a mouse named Algernon. The operation turns Charlie into a genius the same way it increased Algernon’s intelligence. The story follows Charlie’s & Algernon’s experiences after the operation. When Algernon shows signs of regression from the experimentation, Charlie races against time to try and find a way to save his newfound intellect, in hopes of continuing research he and his teacher were conducting.
Flowers For Algernon will run Feb. 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. The show will take place in RTFP building room 127.
The second show the UNT theatre department will be putting on this semester is Imagine, directed by Julie Brinker, with book and lyrics by Doug Cooney, and music by David O. It is a Studio Theater show.
The story follows a boy named Sam and his best friend T-Rex who only Sam can see.
The show will run Mar 8-9 at 10 a.m. (which is reserved for school field trips) and at 7:30 p.m., as well as Mar 10 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. It will take place in the RTFP building in the Studio Theater.
The last show of the semester, Hands on a Hardbody by Doug Wright, is one for comedic musical lovers to be excited about. It will be directed by Michael Serrecchia.
The show surrounds 10 Texans trying to keep one hand on a truck under the intense Texas heat in order to win it. As the UNT Upcoming Season Productions' page reads, “Only one winner can drive away with the American dream.”
The show will run April 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. and April 29 at 2:00 p.m. This performance will be staged in the RTFP building in the University Theater.
UNT is producing a diverse season covering everything from science experimentation and the results, to invisible T-Rexes. Thespians should be truly excited to see this season come to fruition.
Information on tickets can be found here:
http://danceandtheatre.unt.edu/2017-2018-dance-theatre-season/ticket-purchasing
Texas Woman’s University’s upcoming season features two shows surrounding family drama amid varying conditions. One during a trip home, the other during different apocalyptic scenarios.
The first TWU show of the semester is The Long Christmas Ride Home. The show was written by Paula Vogel and will be directed by Dr. Noah Lelek.
Set during a trip home filled with family tensions and dispute, what’s particularly interesting about this show is it incorporates ancient Japanese bunraku-style puppet with Western theatrical traditions.
The show will run Feb. 21, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m., Feb. 22 at 4p.m., and Feb. 24 and 25 at 2 p.m.
The second show of the semester is by the author best known for the play “Our Town.” TWU will be staging a production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, directed by Dr. Patrick Bynane.
This three act comedy follows the Antrobus family and their maid as they attempt to survive apocalyptic scenarios while also dealing with familial issues. This play is full of fourth wall breaks and testaments of human endurance.
The show will run April 18 and 20 at 8 p.m., April 19 at 4 p.m., and April 21 at 2 and 8 p.m.
TWU's season will provide some glimpses into complicated familial dynamics. It will be interesting to see both and gain an understanding of how the inner workings of a family can be successfully translated onstage.
Tickets for Texas Woman’s University can be purchased here: https://twu.edu/theatre/purchase-tickets/
For more information be sure to check out both the universities theatre department pages.
Header image of UNT production "Fabulation" by Lynn Nottage and Directed by Vickie Washington.
Header image taken by George Wanda.
Header image layout design by Holden Foster.