New Parkland Theatre Show Season Announced
Comedies, drama, part of new lineup
Parkland College Theatre recently announced its 2020-2021 performance calendar, which includes an award-winning comedy, drama, and classic productions.
10 out of 12
Anne Washburn's 10 out of 12 is a frighteningly accurate and deeply funny record of the hardest day any theatre artist can endure: the all-day technical rehearsal, also known as the "10 out of 12." Distilled from years of production notes, the play focuses on a hopelessly behind-schedule production during one of its last rehearsals before opening to the public. The tech crew is distracted, the actors are fighting (when they aren't missing their cues), and the director and stage manager are just trying to get through the night without anyone dying or killing anyone. 10 out of 12 shows in hilarious and horrifying detail how theatre can inspire, frustrate, and madden its makers.
Directed by BJ Gailey.
Performances are Oct 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18. Audience, cast, and crew talkback on Oct. 8.
A Christmas Story
With Christmas weeks away, 9-year-old Ralphie Parker navigates school, family, and bullies while desperately trying to secure THE gift, a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB gun. Never mind that everyone from his mother to his teacher to the department store Santa is convinced he’ll shoot his eye out. Written by Philip Grecian, this slice-of-life depiction of Midwestern childhood in the early 1940s brings to the stage the classic 1983 film, based on humorist Jean Shepard’s book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.
Directed by Chelsea Collier.
Performances are Dec 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, and 13. Audience, cast, and crew talkback on Dec 3.
Arsenic and Old Lace
Arsenic and Old Lace, written by Joseph Kesselring, is a madcap dark comedy revolving around theatre critic Mortimer Brewster and his slightly crazy family. Mortimer’s aunts, the charming Brewster sisters, are the town darlings with a little secret and a killer recipe for elderberry wine. Mortimer panics when he discovers how his aunts are "helping" the lonely gentlemen they take in as boarders. Add to the mix a fiancé, a criminal on the run, an alcoholic plastic surgeon, and a brother who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, and you have a recipe for hilarity.
Directed by Michael O’Brien.
Performances are Feb 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. Audience, cast, and crew talkback on Feb 11.
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd is the tale of a Victorian-era barber seeking revenge for his unjust exile at the hands of Judge Turpin. Upon his return to London, Todd meets Mrs. Lovett, a clever woman who owns the meat pie shop below his barber salon. Together, Todd and Lovett scheme to exact revenge on Judge Turpin, and discover a creative way to boost Mrs. Lovett’s business. Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical thriller is the winner of ten Tony awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book. Join us for this razor-sharp dark comedy thriller!
Directed by Jeff Dare.
Performances are April 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24. Audience, cast, and crew talkback on April 8.
Actors' Studio Series
10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse
Written by: Don Zolidis
How do you survive a zombie apocalypse? With a handy-dandy instructional guide, of course! Featuring 10 methods to ensure you come out the other side alive, 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse is a laugh-out-loud, outrageous comedy that is guaranteed to leave everyone feeling more than prepared for the impending zombie takeover.
Directed by Katie Lejeune
Performances are Nov 5, 6, and 7.
Proof (30th Annual Student Production)
Written by: David Auburn
Catherine has given up her studies to care for her mentally-disabled father, once a mathematical genius, but when he dies, he leaves nothing more than scribbles in notebook after notebook. Plagued with fear for her own mental stability, Catherine must cope with her feelings for Hal (a former student of her father) as well as confront her estranged sister, all the while proving she is indeed a genius herself. But how much of Catherine’s mind is really her’s, and how much is her father’s illness? What kind of proof must she provide not only to Hal and her sister, but to herself?
Directed by Madison Chaney.
Performances March 11, 12, and 13.
Ticket Information
As of January 2020, all Parkland Theatre tickets must be purchased either in advance online or from the ticket booth at the time of the performance; ticket reservations will no longer be accepted. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges allowed. All Parkland Theatre ticket purchases are nonrefundable. Visit tickets.parkland.edu for more information.
Become a Friend of Parkland Theatre
Patron donations help Parkland Theatre continue to provide high-quality productions. For more information, visit parkland.edu/theatre-HowToGive.