Nevada Rep - 2006-2007 Season

The UNR Theatre Department
Presents
The Nevada Repertory Company
2006-2007 Season

Summer Festival 2006

Epic Proportions

By Larry Coen and David Crane
Directed by Dr. Jim Bernardi

Set and Lighting Design by Michael Fernbach
Costume Design by Michelle Spencer Davidson

June 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 pm
In the Redfield Studio Theatre

Set in the 1930s, this is the story of two brothers who go to the Arizona desert to be extras in the huge Biblical epic Exit Omnes. Before you know it, one is directing the movie, and the other is starring in it. To complicate matters further, they both fall in love with the assistant director in charge of extras. Along the way there are gladiator battles, the Ten Plagues, and a cast of thousands portrayed by a handful of actors.

“…everything in it is a delight . . . it’s delicious.”--New York Post

“…clever, witty spoof of Hollywood with have you in stitches.”--American Reporter

Cast size is flexible.

Auditions: Monday, May 22 at 7:00 pm in the Redfield Proscenium Theatre

Fall Semester

Auditions

Because of time constraints in fall semester, the usual audition procedure will be somewhat modified.

3-PENNY audition will remain unchanged: at 7:00 p.m. on Tue, Aug 29 in the Redfield Proscenium Theatre.

THE LADY audition, however, will be moved ahead to the week before classes begin (at 7:00 p.m. on Monday Aug 21) and rehearsals will begin that week. If this presents problems for those wishing to audition for THE LADY, private arrangements may be made with Dr. D before the end of spring semester or during the summer. Contact at: dillard@unr.nevada.edu or 784-6123. Other than this modification, the company concept will remain intact.

The Lady From Dubuque

by Edward Albee
directed by Dr. Bob Dillard

September 29, 30, October 4, 5, 6, and 7 at 7:30 pm
October 8 at 1:30 pm
In the Redfield Studio Theatre

Who’s afraid of Edward Albee? Ever since the playwright phrased that question (substitute “Virginia Woolf”) in his 1962 drama of that name, he has been at the forefront of contemporary dramatic art. Winner of 3 Pulitzer Prizes as well an assortment of Tonys, Obies, and critics citations, he has come to be recognized as a national icon with awards from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, the National Medal of Arts, and the Kennedy Center Honors. He is generally acclaimed as America’s most important living dramatist.

Part comedy, part drama, part mystery, like the lady from Dubuque herself, the play is rife with Albee’s characteristic ambiguities and uncertainties. What can you do if you wake up some morning to find your home invaded by a couple of mysterious strangers who refuse to leave, who clearly are not who they claim to be, and who seem to possess almost supernatural powers of insight and control? Certainly they are other-worldly, but from what world and for what purpose? And how do you respond when they confront you with the most fundamental questions of life (Who are you?) and—ultimately—death (How can you face it?)

“ . . . every line bears the name of Edward Albee . . . fine theatre, savagely funny and affecting.” --Time

“ . . . it has the hand of a master. It is richly worth seeing.” --New York Post

“It’s a troubling evening, but an individual one by a voice unlike any other on our stage.” --New York Daily News

Cast: 4 men, 4 women

The Threepenny Opera

by Bertolt Brecht with music by Kurt Weill
Director: Sue Klemp
Musical Director: Damon Stevens

November 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm
November 19 at 1:30 pm
In the Redfield Proscenium Theatre

Popular since its American premier in 1954, Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera retells the story of Macheath (Mack the Knife), Polly Peachum and the motley crew of characters that surround them. These characters were originally created in the comic satire of theatrical conventions and politics in the 17th century The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay. Brecht reconceived of the work, setting it in the underbelly of Victorian London, to satirize a new political movement and its decadence—pre-Hitler Berlin. Macheath avidly pursues his triple passions—money, women, and power—without restraint. He allies himself with London’s organized crime syndicate by marrying the daughter of its ruler, Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum. The darkly witty songs were set to music by Kurt Weill making it one of the first examples of introducing jazz into the theatre. Filled with comically corrupt characters, eerily memorable songs, and theatricality first introduced by Brecht, The Threepenny Opera is an intriguing and compelling event.

7+ males, 4+ females, speaking/singing extras

Spring Semester

Spring auditions: Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 pm
Redfield Proscenium Theatre

A. . . My Name Is Alice

Conceived by Joan Micklin Silver and Julianne Boyd
Director: Sue Klemp

Musical Director: Damon Stevens
March 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 at 7:30 pm

March 11 at 1:30 pm
In the Redfield Studio Theatre

Using a series of short scenes intermingled with song, A. . .My Name Is Alice, is a rollercoaster ride through women’s lives. Originally developed at The Woman’s Project at American Place Theater, the show includes touching, thought-provoking, and down right funny glimpses into the day-to-day issues facing the modern woman. Two dozen writers, including Anne Meara and Steve Tesich (Breaking Away, Eleni), contributed to this collaboration providing “...music and lyrics...so sophisticated that they can carry the weight of one-act plays.” (Frank Rich, The New York Times) The “all-girl band” that makes up the cast take on roles that examine the concerns of women of all ages. This show which is suited for all adult audiences, presents its insights with a finesse that lets women and men identify with the characters and their circumstances.

All-female cast. Originally conceived for 5 women but will likely be a larger cast as some roles require singing and others do not

Cyrano de Bergerac

By Edmond Rostand
Directed by Dr. Jim Bernardi

April 27, 28, May 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 pm
May 6 at 1:30 pm
In the Redfield Proscenium Theatre

Edmond Rostand’s celebrated heroic comedy paints a glorious portrait of seventeenth century poet, wit, and swordsman, Cyrano de Bergerac, famous for his panache and ludicrous nose. Reluctant, through fear of ridicule, to declare his love for Roxane, Cyrano does so indirectly, by wooing her for the inept, though handsome, Christian, who also loves her and with whom she falls in loves in return. Cyrano’s self-sacrificing gesture for his young friend precipitates a lyrical adventure and grand love story unparalleled in dramatic literature.

Eternally dashing, proud, and romantic, Cyrano is one of the theatre’s most memorable figures and his story is one of the best loved.

Cast size: ENORMOUS ! -- 30 +

Titles subject to change.