Niagara University Theatre announces 53rd season

From October through May, Niagara University Theatre's 53rd season of productions promises a diverse collection of entertainment options to a variety of tastes.

Steve Braddock, director of Niagara University Theatre, said, "We are excited to begin the season with 'The Macbeth Insurgency (Shakespeare Deconstructed),' adapted and directed by Doug Zschiegner. This contemporary take on 'Macbeth,' a 21st century, multimedia approach to Shakespeare's themes, will make 'Macbeth' resonate in a very real way for a modern audience. An evening of vibrant theater, brimming with connections to global events that are vivid and palpable, will provide our patrons with the opportunity for lively, insightful conversation.

"The season continues with 'Stage Door' by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber; the hilarious musical 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' by William Finn, Rachel Sheinkin, and Rebecca Feldman; the annual Short Play Festival; Sarah Ruhl's 'Dead Man's Cell Phone'; the NU Players' production of 'The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds' by Paul Zindel; Suzan Zeder's 'Mother Hicks'; and finally, the multiple Tony-Award winning musical, 'The Pajama Game,' by George Abbott, Richard Bissell, Richard Adler and Jerry Ross."

The entire season will be produced in the William P. and Marie Leary Theatre in the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, with the one exception of the annual collaboration with the Castellani Art Museum.

"While many area theaters focus on producing one type of theater, here at NU, our season of theater is about variety and tremendous value," Braddock said. "With our $3.1 million renovation several years behind us, our first-class facility can offer audience amenities, which add to the entertainment experience: a circular driveway drop-off, a computerized box office, an elevator, air-conditioning, comfortable seats with arm and leg room, and an audience lounge for pre-show and intermission - complete with a photographic mural spotlighting NU Theatre productions from the 1960s through 2010. We invite theatregoers from across Western New York and Southern Ontario to join us for our 53rd year of theater performances featuring theater majors from across the country. These students work under the direction of our award-winning faculty, comprised of a professional team of directors/actors, a choreographer, a stage combat expert, vocal instructors/musicians, a costume/make-up designer, a costume technologist and scenic and lighting designers."

There are multiple ways to purchase tickets for NU Theatre productions: online at http://theatre.niagara.edu/; in person at the box office in the lobby of the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall (2:30-5:30 p.m. weekdays, and one hour prior to curtain; by phone at 716-286-8685; or by email to [email protected] Voicemail messages and emails are returned as soon as possible.