THEATRE-IN-THE-ROUND 

2006/2007 SEASON

Preliminary information sheet - updated 4/9/07

Here is some basic information about our upcoming season - our 46th!!    including our inaugural performances at SOPAC  * <please note several changes in prices, location, performance schedule, and phone numbers>

 The dates for the Theatre in '06-'07 are as follows:
Oct. 20,21,22, 27,28,29 | *Dec. 1,2,3,6,7,8,9 |  *Feb. 23,24,25,28,Mar 1,2 | *April 20,21,22

* performances at SOPAC {South Orange Performing Arts Center} *

 As You Like it    by   William Shakespeare

…" the Bard's well known lyric comedy"… [click here for Director's Notes]   

 

{ directed by Professor James P. McGlone }

        F 10/20 , Sa 1O/21 , Su 1O/22 matinee,      

        F 10/27 , Sa 1O/28, Su 1O/29 matinee

       The O'Conner Girls      by  Katie Forgette

…”  a warm and touching Christmas comedy”…  [click here for Director's Notes]   link to be updated

          { directed by Professor Peter Reader }

      F 12/1 ,  Sa 12/2,   Su 12/3 matinee, 

         W 12/6 , Th 12/7 ,  F 12/8   Sat 12/9

        _See How They Run    by  Phillip King

  ... ”  a riotous British Farce"     [click here for Director's Notes] 

               {directed by Professor James P. McGlone }

          F  2/23 ,  Sa 2/24 ,  Su 2/25 matinee   

         W  2/28 ,  Th  3/1  ,  F  3/2  

 

        _Dead Man Walking      by  Tim Robbins  

.. " the well known , contemporary drama, based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean"...     [click here for Director's Notes]   

        { directed by Professor Deirdre Yates }

    F  4/20 ,   Sa 4/21   ,   Su 4/22 matinee ,  Su 4/22 evening

    

**please note several changes in prices, location, performance schedule, and phone numbers**

* All evening performances begin at 8:00 and matinees are at 2:00.

* As You Like It performs in the Theatre-in-the-Round in the University Center on the campus. All other performances take place in SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 Trenchard Place-behind the Train Station)

* Ticket Prices:   $15.00 – Regular

                   $12.00 Senior Citizens, & Children, & SHU Alumni

                  $8.00 – SHU Students[One ticket per ID], Faculty, & Staff –

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTOR'S NOTES -- EXCERPTS:

 As You Like It  - notes by Professor James P. McGlone 

Dear Patron:

Shakespeare didn't seem much concerned with titles. All's Well That Ends Well, Much Ado About Nothing, and As You Like It give critics enough ready made headlines to shoot down any production. Maybe the Bard was so sure of his talent, he felt like challenging the reviewing fraternity.

As it happens - interesting that he never used that as a title - As You Like It is considered one of his most lyric as well as one of his most popular plays. To begin with - I keep coming up with these titles, don't I? - the reason for his success with this script is the enchanting language, lovely musical interludes, the witty repartee, and the ingenious resolution to a complicated plot. Along side his charming sonnet of the seven ages of man is my favorite Shakespearean curse, to wit: " Sell while you are able, you are not for all markets."

No, I'm not selling you on As You Like It on the grounds that it teaches effective cursing. I merely suggest that, as students of the spoken word, whatever emotion or idea that Shakespeare decided to explore, he did it with eloquence, aptness, humor, and in high spirits. And all through the spoken word -- sometimes referred to as Oral Communication.

So, let me entertain you - another title but already used in a song - with pranks and pratfalls, with love songs and lovesick comics, with compliments and curses all composed and contrived As You Like It.

All the best,

James P. McGlone

 
 

 

 

     The O'Connor Girls     - notes by Professor Peter Reader

Director's Notes:
 is

 

 

   See How They Run     - notes by Professor James P. McGlone 

Dear Patron:

Have you noticed that the word "farce" has somehow gotten a bad name? How often have you heard someone proclaim an event that ended in confusion as "a complete farce?" Almost anything we wish to denigrate seems to fit that title.

Well, I want you to know, I think that Farce is a perfectly respectable theatrical method of giving the world a good laugh. To begin with, at least in old fashion farces, most of the characters are silly but nice. We laugh at their silliness but we enjoy their innocent company. Think of Charley's Aunt or You Can't Take It With You -- one rehearses the irresponsibility of undergraduate life, and the other gives us a method to cope with depression, economic, that is. And it's not easy to put together an effective production of a farce. Everybody needs to come in the doors at the exact moment. Furthermore, the denizens of the genre take themselves seriously so that you have the luxury of laughing at the accumulating mayhem. Finally, the mayhem must increase through three acts to a resolution that occurs just as the final curtain descends.

Of course, you are not supposed to take it all to heart. It takes a leap of faith to accept the pretences of the plot. In other words, you have to bring with you to the theatre your ability to make-believe. Have we, I wonder, lost our capacity for the outrageous? Are we unable to let go of our sophistication and just enjoy the fun of the whole thing? Has there been, as Walter Kerr wrote some forty years ago, "a decline of pleasure?" Do we feel guilty about just having a good laugh with our friends?

I can't answer that question for you, but I can assure you that we have had a rip-roaring good time rehearsing See How They Run. We can only hope that you will share in our delight in mistaken identity, people making strange exits and entrances, and the general riot that makes up our evening together.

 

All the best,

Jim McGlone

 

 

_Dead Man Walking_   =  notes by Professor Deirdre Yates }


Director's Notes:

 
To our audience,

Well, from the first moment I spoke with Sister Maureen Fenlon, the National Coordinator of the DEAD MAN WALKING SCHOOL THEATRE PROJECT, I knew I was becoming part of something bigger than just directing a play! As Sister Helen says in the play, "What am I getting myself into?"
Happily what I found myself getting into was an enriching, educational and emotional journey. On behalf of the entire cast and crew of DEAD MAN WALKING, I welcome you to our journey with the hopes that you too will be enriched, educated and moved.

From conversations with New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, to David Kaczynski's presentation on turning his brother in as the Unabomber, to a film series covering reconciliation for victims' families, to a woman's perspective on the death penalty from Patricia Clark at Seton Hall's Women's Conference to meeting Sister Helen Prejean herself, I have learned about the power of this play. Forgiveness, a grace not easily achieved, is at the heart of Sister Helen's message, the Catholic Church's message and the message of this play. It is a privilege to be a part of sharing such a noble mission.

I would like to thank, at least a few of, the many people who helped me along the way. Without an award from David Foster and the Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership, this project would never have come to fruition. Abraham Bonowitz, from New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, has been a constant source of ideas, speakers and support. The Dean's Office of the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly Susan Kilduff, and the Department of Communication have helped enormously. And, in no small way, the students of PRSSA and the faculty and students of Seton Hall have embraced the entire death penalty campaign and implemented it to the fullest. So, many thanks!

Finally, I close with the words of Tim Robbins: "Dig into the issue. Get informed. Make theatre. Take action."

We have.

Professor Deirdre Yates