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09.07.2005

Contacts: Hunter Hanger, Theater Emory, 404-712-9118, hhanger@emory.edu; Nancy Condon, Arts at Emory, 404-727-1687, ncondon@emory.edu

Theater Emory 2005-2006 Season is 3,000-Year March Through History

Theater Emory and its partners, New York’s Universes and Atlanta’s Out of Hand Theater, engage 2005-2006 Emory audiences in theatrical time travel from ancient Greek to contemporary American drama through six productions: “Alcestis,” “King Lear,” “She Stoops to Conquer,” “The Skin of Our Teeth,” “Live from the Edge” and “Eyewitness Blues.” “We invite you to wear your best shoes and join us in a 3,000-year historical march,” says artistic producing director Vincent Murphy, a summer 2005 Public Broadcasting Atlanta Lexus Leader of the Arts honoree. “This season we return to the grand theatrical tradition of large, timely classics…audiences can travel through the evolution of society and experience period productions rich with costuming, music and vocal styles.” Single tickets and the “Theater Emory Four Pack” discount subscription are on sale now by phone at 404-727-5050 or online at www.arts.emory.edu.

The journey begins in ancient Greece with Euripides’ poignant drama, “Alcestis” (Oct. 6-16), translated and adapted by Ted Hughes. Produced in collaboration with Atlanta’s celebrated Out Of Hand Theater, this modern retelling of the classic tragedy finds Queen Alcestis willing to sacrifice herself for the life of her King, only to be rescued from the underworld by the raucous he-man, Heracles. The opening night of “Alcestis” will be presented during an international conference at Emory University investigating the works of Ted Hughes, whose writings are housed within Emory’s Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Book Library. Emory alumnus and Out of Hand Theater co-producing artistic director, Ariel de Man, will direct this epic event, which begins in Emory’s Mary Gray Munroe Theater from Oct. 6-14 and concludes with environmental re-staging in Emerson Concert Hall at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts on Oct. 15 and 16.

Shakespeare’s powerful “King Lear” (Nov. 10-20) is the next stage in this journey through history and will be directed by Tim McDonough. This critically acclaimed actor will also star in the leading role. As Lear, upon his abdication, divides his kingdom among his three daughters, the audience rides through the storm of political corruption, madness and betrayal produced in an anachronistic “process-to-play” style, inviting a rare glimpse into how a theatrical production is created from the first reading to the final curtain.
Theater Emory’s quest continues into the 18th century with the hilarious romp of Oliver Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer” (Feb. 16-26). Directed by Emory scholar Michael Evenden, this Restoration comedy follows the trickster Charles Marlow in his pursuit of love and lust and the social-climbing Mrs. Hardcastle in her search for jewelry and gossip. Dysfunctional families, clever hoaxes and society blunders highlight the wild world of class courtship and madcap misunderstandings within the English manor.

The trek continues with the 20th-century Pulitzer-prize winning saga, “The Skin of Our Teeth,” by Thornton Wilder (Apr. 14-23). Very rarely produced, this theatrical extravaganza is directed by Emory alumnus Matt Huff and provides the audience a vision into the life of the archetypal Antrobus family as they struggle to survive through the Ice Age, the Great Flood and an apocalyptic World War III. A testament to man’s perseverance and human spirit in the face of everything from cataclysmic catastrophe to domestic disharmony, “The Skin of Our Teeth” is itself a march through the history of man’s trials and triumphs.

The final Theater Emory adventure in this year’s odyssey is with Universes, a cutting edge troupe of five multi-disciplined performers from the South Bronx. The free outdoor performance of “Live from the Edge” on Apr. 17 features elements of their hit show, “Slanguage,” fusing together musical styles from hip hop to Spanish boleros with poetry to create a unique theatrical experience. Directed by Chay Yew, “Eyewitness Blues” on Apr. 19 combines jazz, flamenco, blues and poetry as it follows Junior McCullough, a horn player from the Bronx, as his muse provides musical inspiration for his art. In a fitting end to our season’s exploration, Universes breaks the bounds of performance to conceive a new theater craft. Universes’ performances are made possible by the Flora Glenn Candler Fund and Emory Coca-Cola Artist-in-Residence Series.

For tickets and information, contact the Arts at Emory Box Office at 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu, or boxoffice@emory.edu. For Theater Emory and Department of Theater Studies information, visit www.theater.emory.edu.

Season Calendar Listings
For tickets and information, contact the Arts at Emory Box Office at 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu, or boxoffice@emory.edu. Please note that all evening performances begin at 7 p.m.

Theater Emory and Out of Hand Theater
“Alcestis”
By Euripides
Translated and adapted by Ted Hughes
Directed by Ariel de Man
Produced in collaboration with Out Of Hand Theater
Oct. 6-8 and 13-14 at 7 p.m. The Oct. 7 performance is Pay-What-You-Can Night (pay-what-you-can admission is only available at the door on Oct. 7).
Munroe Theater, Dobbs University Center
Oct. 15 at 7 pm and Oct.16 at 2 p.m.
Emerson Concert Hall, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts
$15; patrons over 65 and under 18, non-Emory students and discount category members $12; Emory students $6

Theater Emory
“King Lear”
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Tim McDonough
Nov. 10-12 and 17-19 at 7 p.m. The Nov. 11 performance is Pay-What-You-Can Night (pay-what-you-can admission is only available at the door on Nov. 11).
Nov. 13 and 19-20 at 2 p.m.
Munroe Theater, Dobbs University Center
$15; patrons over 65 and under 18, non-Emory students and discount category members $12; Emory students $6

Theater Emory
“She Stoops to Conquer”
By Oliver Goldsmith
Directed by Michael Evenden
Feb. 16-18 and 23-25 at 7 p.m. The Feb. 17 performance is Pay-What-You-Can Night (pay-what-you-can admission is only available at the door on Feb. 17).
Feb. 19 and 25-26 at 2 p.m.
Munroe Theater, Dobbs University Center
$15; patrons over 65 and under 18, non-Emory students and discount category members $12; Emory students $6

Theater Emory
“The Skin of Our Teeth”
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Matt Huff
Apr. 14-15 and 20-22 at 7 p.m.
Apr. 15 and 22-23 at 2 p.m. The Apr. 15 performance is the Pay-What-You-Can Performance (pay-what-you-can admission is only available at the door on Apr. 15).
Munroe Theater, Dobbs University Center
$15; patrons over 65 and under 18, non-Emory students and discount category members $12; Emory students $6

Universes
“Live from the Edge”
Created and performed by Universes
Apr. 17 at 7 p.m.
McDonough Field, Emory University
Free, no tickets required.

Universes
“Eyewitness Blues”
Created and performed by Universes
Directed by Chay Yew
Apr. 19 at 7 p.m.
Emerson Concert Hall, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts
$15; patrons over 65 and under 18, non-Emory students and discount category members $12; Emory students $6

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