Theater
UW Theatre Department falls down "Rabbit Hole" PDF Print E-mail
Written by Andrew Call   
Tuesday, 28 October 2008 09:16

The 2007 Pulitzer Prize winning play “Rabbit Hole” makes its way to a Laramie stage.  David Lindsay-Abaire’s play has only been around for two years, but the praise and adoration that followed its debut on Broadway in 2006 foreshadowed success.              

The play focuses on idyllic suburban couple, Becca and Howard Corbett, how they each cope with a tragic accident and how this accident changes their lives forever.  Director Rebecca Hilliker, UW professor and former Fine Arts department head, has had a similar situation happen to her.

“I’ve had a life experience with this. I think I personally understand how long and complex the grieving process is,” Hilliker said.

“When you have a couple that normally have a good relationship and can comfort each other it’s very different from a relationship after losing a child. It’s really really hard to find a language to comfort and sustain your spouse,” Hilliker said.

“Rabbit Hole” delves into the emotional hole that is left behind when people are forced to confront personal tragedy, taking a critical look at the unraveling of reality and the hardship that follows. The tragedy distances the Corbetts from well-meaning friends and family and eventually from each other.

“They don’t know how to comfort one another. They’re not grieving and dealing with the situation in the same way.

“It does provide some degree of hope in the end,” Hilliker said. “You’ll be able to see that they are at least starting to move forward, but they’ve still got a long, long way to go.”

The play opens tonight at 7:30 in the Fine Arts Studio Theatre and will continue to run through Nov. 1. Tickets are $7 for students, $11 for seniors and $14 for others. They can be purchased by telephone at (307) 766-6666 or online at www.uwyo.edu/finearts.

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'Plastic Purse' performed PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sasha Fahrenkopf   
Thursday, 02 October 2008 21:32

Imagine a world where mice no longer cause women to jump in fright but instead teach important lessons about friendships, patience, and love.

UW theater performance is doing just that with the educational children’s performance “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.”

This is the first time that the department of theater has put on a children’s performance on the main stage. The play is aimed toward the younger ages, anywhere from preschool to 4 graders, Katie Sterns, an actor in “Lily’s.”

“I’ve never been involved in something like this, but I love kids,” performer Dan Cole said. “I love kids and I love the theater so this was a great experience.”

“Lily’s” is a story about a young mouse dealing with the addition of a younger brother to her family. Along with lessons about shapes and the alphabet, the story is meant to teach the young audience about family love and acceptance.

“Lilly’s” is directed by Dr. Cecilia Aragon and is based on the children’s book of the same name by Kevin Henkes.

“It’s a true family show, one of those rare opportunities for parents and kids to come together and enjoy themselves,” Aragon said according to the UW news release.

With about 185 audience members, the kids showed excitement for the performance.

“It liked it a lot. It was really funny,” Ellison Sweeney, age 10 said.

The play began with a Thursday performance and will continue to run tonight at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building. Tickets are for sale for $7 for students, $11 for senior citizens and $14 for others.

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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 October 2008 14:06 )
 
UW dance department hosts Festival PDF Print E-mail
Written by Lindsey Hoyt   
Wednesday, 30 July 2008 15:24

Dancers and instructors from around the country participated in the 14th annual Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival, July 16-27 at University of Wyoming.

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"As You Like It" takes roots in Washington Park PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sasha Fahrenkopf   
Thursday, 24 July 2008 13:10

 

Going to the park means Frisbee, dogs, and this past weekend, Shakespeare. The Merely Players performed “As You Like It (Redux)” July 18-20 in Washington Park.

The three performances were free to the public.  According to Chris Lang, the director of the play, about 120 people on Friday, 170 on saturday, and 103, on Sunday attended.

The play, originally a four hour long play by Shakespeare, was adapted by Anna Brownstead and Kari Kontour to run approximately 70 minutes.  The language of the play was also adapted to make it more family friendly.  

"We want to take Shakespeare ‘off the pedestal' and provide a fast-paced, accessible adaptation of his work in a relaxed setting," says Anna Brownsted in the University of Wyoming press release for the event.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 October 2008 13:56 )
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“Rounding Third” slides into home PDF Print E-mail
Written by Meggie Elliott   
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 14:33

Last weekend was the last performance for Snowy Range’s Summer Theatre productions. “Rounding Third, ” directed by Theatre Chair Leigh Selting, made its final curtain call on Saturday, July 12. With only eight days to rehearse, actors Brandon Taylor (as the character of Don) and Michael Legg (as the character of Michael) played two fathers co-coaching their sons’ Little League team. Each one has a very different idea of how the game should be played and both viewpoints are valid. The play begins with an awkward first meeting and first impressions are slippery. “It’s the dichotomy of a win-at-all-cost dad versus the just-for-fun father, ” said Selting.

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 July 2008 14:41 )
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