By AnnaBelle Boone / The Jambar
With a new school year, Cliffe College of Creative Arts at Youngstown State University is planning several stage productions for students. The lineup this year includes a cabaret performance, Tony-award nominated productions and student projects.
The opening production for the fall semester is “On The Verge.” The production runs Oct. 4 – Oct. 12. All performances take place in YSU Ford Theater, located in Bliss Hall.
According to its synopsis on the YSU website, “On The Verge” is set in 1888 and follows three women explorers, Mary, Fanny and Alex. The women unite to conquer Terra Incognita, a mysterious final frontier.
“On The Verge” premiered in 1985 at Baltimore’s Center Stage, written by Eric Overmyer.
University Theatre’s next production is “Pete The Penguin’s Vintage Variety Show: A Musical Comedy Extravaganza,” which is scheduled for Nov. 22, with another show on Nov. 23. Both of these begin at 7:30 p.m. There is also a matinee show at 2 p.m. on Nov. 24.
“Pete The Penguin’s Vintage Variety Show: A Musical Comedy Extravaganza,” will be held at Ford Theater and is an original production.
According to the YSU website, the show follows “a group of musical theater students as they embark on a hilarious journey to modernize a hopelessly outdated script for a vaudeville-style performance.”
The show will include real-time updates as the cast navigates the mishaps and madcap moments that may occur. “Pete The Penguin’s Variety Show” also features a live band and a cameo from President Bill Johnson and First Lady LeeAnn Johnson.
A date idea for Valentine’s Day, “Playboy of the Western World” will premiere Feb. 14. The show will run for Valentine’s Day weekend and the following weekend. Shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and matinees will be held at 2 p.m. on Sundays. “Playboy” will be held at YSU Spotlight Theater in Bliss Hall.
According to the YSU website, its set in rural Ireland, this story follows the charming and controversial character, Christy Mahon. Blending humor, wit and unexpected twists, the play follows Mahon as he tells tall tales of heroism to a small town.
The three-act play first premiered in 1907 at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, written by John Millington Synge.
“[TITLE OF SHOW]” ends the spring semester. Showings will be held on April 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., as well as April 6 and April 13 with matinee showings at 2 p.m. The show will premiere at Spotlight Theater.
The musical follows Jeff, Hunter, Susan and Heidi as they navigate the highs and lows of creating a musical. “[TITLE OF SHOW]” is a one-act musical by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell.
In 2009, Hunter Bell was nominated for a Tony Award for “Best Book of a Musical” for this production. “[TITLE OF SHOW]” began off-Broadway in 2006, then had a 102-show run on-Broadway.
For those interested in learning more about this year’s University Theatre productions, contact Katie Merrill, CCCA’s coordinator of Community Engagement and Events.