As area colleges and universities wrap up their spring semesters, prepare yourselves for some extravagant musicals and heavy-duty classics that will demonstrate the year’s culmination of artistry and craftsmanship.
Spartanburg Methodist College — Bus Stop
The SMC Players end their season with William Inge’s comedic drama “Bus Stop” directed by Neill Hance. Many may know the film version that garnered critical acclaim for Marilyn Monroe’s first serious dramatic performance. “Bus Stop” runs March 31-April 3, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 2:30 p.m. at Gibbs Auditorium at Spartanburg Methodist College, 1000 Powell Mill Rd. in Spartanburg. Tickets: $5. Call (864) 587-4000 or visit http://www.smcsc.edu.
Shoestring Players at USC-Upstate — Dogfight: The Musical
The Shoestring Players at the University of South Carolina-Upstate present “Dogfight: The Musical” written by Peter Duchan and music and lyrics by Benji Pasek and Justin Paul. Based on the Warner Bros. film and screenplay by Bob Comfort, this musical follows three young Marines in 1963 on the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia who set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion. “Dogfight” is directed by Lee Neibert and runs Thursday-Saturday, April 7-9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 800 University Way in Spartanburg. Tickets are $4-8. Call (864) 503-5695 or e-mail [email protected]. Also, don’t miss The Golden Shoe Awards Show that celebrates the best of The Shoestring Players’ current season and includes a reveal of the 2016-17 lineup.
Anderson University — A Doll’s House
The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University concludes its “The Power of Love” season with Henrik Ibsen’s ground-breaking “A Doll’s House.” This powerful drama by the father of realism tells the story of one woman’s self-discovery and struggle for independence in the male dominated society of Victorian Norway. This production is directed by theatre department chair and professor Dr. Deborah McEniry and assistant-directed by SCSA student Erin Christina. Shows are Thursday-Saturday, April 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 9 at the Belk Theatre, 316 Boulevard in Anderson. For tickets call the Box Office at (864) 231-2080. For more information, visit http://www.andersonuniversity.edu.
Limestone College — 9 to
5: The Musical
Limestone College ends the year with the raucous Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick musical “9 to 5” directed by Dr. Tim Baxter-Ferguson. Based on the hit 1980 film, “9 to 5” follows three female office workers who concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. “9 to 5” runs Thursday-Saturdays, April 7-9 & 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10-15 and available at www.showtix4u.com. Free for Limestone folks.
Furman University — Arcadia
Set in both Regency and modern England, “Arcadia,” a mid-career highpoint by Tom Stoppard, an artistic descendant of George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde, explores how landscape architecture, advanced mathematics, musical virtuosity, true and shallow academic research, Romanticism, the Enlightenment, accidents, and the wild card of sexuality conspire to make life heartbreaking and joyous by turns or all at once. Shows are April 13-16 & 21-23 at 8 p.m. with 3 p.m. matinees on Sunday, April 17 & 24 at The Playhouse at Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway in Greenville. Tickets are $8. Call (864) 294-2125 or visit http://www.furman.edu/theatrearts
North Greenville University — Into the Woods
The North Greenville University Theatre Department continues their 2015-16 season with the sophisticated fairy tale musical “Into The Woods.” This Tony-winning show with a book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim takes everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless yet relevant piece and rare modern classic. “Into the Woods” is directed by Amy Dunlap with scenic design by Genesis Garza, costumes by Allison Starling and musical direction by Chase McAbee. Shows are Thursdays-Saturdays, April 14-23 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Greenville University Billingsley Theatre. Tickets are $5-12. Call (864) 663-0169 or (864) 977-7085 or visit www.ngu.edu/theatre.php.
Spartanburg Community College — Blue Stockings
Set in Victorian England, “Blue Stockings” by Jessica Swale covers an academic year where female students fight to be acknowledged as academic scholars. Tess Moffat and her peers are referred to as “Blue Stockings,” a term used to describe educated women. Facing conflicts both inside and outside of Cambridge University, these female students show their unwavering grit and determination to gain the right to graduate. Emily Grigg directs this play that runs April 16-18 at 7 p.m. at Spartanburg Community College Downtown Campus, 220 E Kennedy St. in Spartanburg. Tickets are $4-8 at the door. For more information, contact Emily Grigg at [email protected] or (864) 592-4297.
Wofford College — Spring Awakening
“Spring Awakening” is a dark and exuberant coming-of-age rock show based on the 1891 play by German author Frank Wedekind. This adaptation by Duncan Sheik (music) and Steven Sater (book) won nine Tony awards in 2007 including Best Musical. Wofford’s production features senior Theatre major Madison Eberhardt (recently returned from a semester at the renowned Moscow Art Theatre) as Wendla, local actor Tim Giles as Melchior, junior Theatre major Sean Bray as Moritz, and an extremely talented supporting cast of young theatre artists.
For mature audiences only. Shows are April 21-23 & 27-30 at 8 p.m. in the Tony White Theatre in the Campus Life Building, 429 N. Church St. in Spartanburg. Call (864) 597-4080 or visit http://www.wofford.edu/boxOffice/tickets/.
Converse College — Urinetown: The Musical
Theatre Converse presents “Urinetown: The Musical,” a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself. Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, “Urinetown” is set in a Gotham-like city where a terrible water shortage caused by a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he’s had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, “Urinetown” is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Urinetown is written by Mark Hollman with music by Greg Kotis. Shows are April 20-23 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m. at the Hazel B. Abbott Theater, 580 E Main St. in Spartanburg. Tickets are $5-10, FREE for Converse folks. Call the Box Office at (864) 596-9725 or email [email protected].
Greenville Technical College — Cinderella
Greenville Tech Theatre presents “Cinderella,” a traditional version of the classic play we love with surprises including magic and humor. Performances are April 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 24 at 3 p.m. at TRC Auditorium at the Barton Campus, 506 South Pleasantburg Dr., Building 102, Room 144 in Greenville. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Reserve your seat at http://cinderella-at-gtc.eventbrite.com.
Bob Jones University — Hamlet
This year, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, BJU’s Classic Players present one of his most famous and beloved works, “Hamlet.” Join Hamlet, the brilliant, eloquent son of the late king, in a series of plots, miscommunications, betrayals and revenge. Whether it’s the tragically relatable characters, thought-provoking soliloquies or complex maneuvering and counter-maneuvering, Hamlet provides a thrilling night of entertainment and enjoyment Performances are April 21-23 at 8 p.m. at Rodeheaver Auditorium, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville. Tickets are $20-38. Call (864) 770-1372 or visit http://bju.universitytickets.com/. There will also be a Webcast of “Hamlet” on April 23 at 8 p.m. For more information visit http://www.bju.edu/events/fine-arts/concert-opera-drama/hamlet.php.
