2023-24 UMW Theatre Season Brochure

Maddie Baylor ’24 and Seth Drenning ’24 in The Play That Goes Wrong

Cover: Kyleigh Friel ’26 in The Rocky Horror Show

I have really found my place at UMW Theatre doing something that I love! The personal interaction I have with the faculty, staff, and other students is what truly makes this a great place to learn and gain experience.”

—Maddie Baylor ’24

If I were to be honest with you, we went into last season with some degree of trepidation. Still reeling from the effects of the pandemic on our program, we recognized that our students needed more support than ever in order to recover from lost experiences, our faculty and staff were stretched in many directions, and our audiences, understandably, had been slow to return to Klein Theatre. Nonetheless, we jumped into the season with tremendous commitment, boundless energy, and a tenacious focus on helping our students reach their potential in our spaces, throughout campus, and in the world beyond Mary Washington. In truth, the result was so much more than any of us could have imagined. We celebrated many sold-out performances and welcomed some of the largest audiences that we have ever had into the theatre, sharing our extraordinary work with more of our community than ever before.

I watched audiences gather in Klein Theatre to see our talented students tell incredible stories, I observed students and faculty in our classrooms develop their skills and learn from each other, and I witnessed guest artists and theatre professionals working alongside our students creating breathtaking worlds from which these stories came to brilliant life. We ended the season with tremendous gratitude for the great distance we had traveled. Our 2023-24 season is a formidable collection of work that will inspire conversations throughout the coming season. We celebrate the rich collaboration between our faculty, staff, and students that brings these titles to the selection process, and we are eager to give them life in Klein Theatre.

Community is at the forefront of my mind, nurturing and energizing our work every step of the way.

I cannot wait to see our community grow—not only in numbers, but in strength and vibrance around the superb

season ahead. We open with Ken Ludwig’s inventive adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express , a farcical take on the classic murder mystery by one of today’s greatest comedic playwrights. Next up is the colorful and whimsical children’s classic, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, a challenge we have been chomping at the bit to tackle in Klein Theatre—with music that is sure to stay with you long after the final curtain call. We follow in the spring with the arresting and gritty dark comedy, True West by literary genius, Sam Shepard, whose work we have admired and aspired to present for some time. We close the season with one of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedies of deception, disguise, and cheerful escapades— Twelfth Night —in a production that, undoubtedly, will delight and tickle your funny bone.

But that’s not all! We have a robust series of UMW Theatre Road Trips ahead. Our Road Trips have proven to be a real favorite among our patrons—everyone loves how easy it is to hop on the bus and go to the theatre!

I invite you to join our growing community—perhaps as a Season Passholder! After a wildly successful inaugural Season Pass campaign in 2022-23, we have tweaked our 2023-24 Season Pass with perks like guaranteed seats, unlimited exchanges, and the best price available. There are so many reasons for you to say “Yes, I want a Season Pass!”— and a Season Pass is the only way to guarantee your seat in Klein Theatre. Given the number of people who were turned away at the box office last season, this is a great benefit!

We are eager to greet you in Klein Theatre this coming year, and we hope that you will take the opportunity to become a Season Passholder. Above all, we hope you will join our community as the lights come up on these remarkable stories!

Gregg Stull Producing Director

—The

“A first class ride all the way!”

Guardian

Agatha Christie’s

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

Hop on board and take your seat as the fastidious and quick-witted Hercule Poirot investigates a murder on the opulent Orient Express. As one-by-one the passengers on the train begin to fall under suspicion, Poirot must use his unrivaled powers of keen observation and precise deduction to uncover the truth and deliver the killer to justice. Expertly adapted by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo), Murder on the Orient Express is a must-see for even the most casual fans of Agatha Christie’s work and anyone who relishes the challenge of a whodunnit murder mystery, a hearty laugh, and a snowy night filled with glamour and intrigue.

September 21-October 1

“Dazzlingly inventive with considerable magic. I can’t wait to see it again.”

—The Hollywood Reporter

ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL

MUSIC &

LYRICS

by TIM MINCHIN

BOOK by DENNIS KELLY

Step into a world of enchantment and adventure with Matilda the Musical, the Tony Award-winning musical based on the beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl. Matilda Wormwood is an exceptionally gifted child with an extraordinary love of books, an incredibly vivid imagination, and just plain rotten luck in the parental department. Along with her friends and her teacher, Miss Honey, she stands up for injustice against the headmistress (scathingly but appropriately dubbed “The Trunchbull”) and other adults who “can’t be bothered with the affairs of wretched, filthy children.” With an incredible score and a cast of colorful characters, Matilda will awaken the childlike wonder in everyone!

NOVEMBER 2-19

SEASON PASS Exchanges Begin October 13

Box Office Opens October 19

Pay-What-You-Can Preview November 1

Afterwords November 5

Sensory-Friendly Performance November 18

TRUE WEST

by SAM SHEPARD

Experience the raw power and palpable intensity of this finalist for the Pulitzer Prize that tackles the parallel struggles of identity, family, and the American dream. Austin, a successful screenwriter, and his estranged brother Lee, a ne’er-do-well drifter, are collaborating on a new screenplay—each trying to prove that he can write a “truer” Western. Tensions rise and sparks fly as their roles reverse and the brothers grapple against becoming the worst version of the other. This modern and darkly funny Cain and Abel story provokes thought at every turn and will have you on the edge of your seat, making True West a must-see play by Sam Shepard, one of this country’s most visionary writers.

February 15-25

Season Pass Exchanges Begin January 26

Box Office Opens February 1

Pay-What-You-Can Preview February 14

AfterWords February 18

“. . . sibling rivalry has seldom felt this ominous. Shepard’s Wild West just got a lot scarier.”

—The New York Times

TWELFTH NIGHT

by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

The shipwrecked and fiercely determined Viola poses as a man to curry favor with the nobility on the shores of Illyria, only to become entangled in a web of deception, self-discovery, and hilarious mishaps.

Unwittingly embroiled in a turbulent love triangle, Viola finds herself at the crossroads where lust, desire, passion, and gender identity all threaten to unravel her delicate illusion. Add in a splash of drunken hijinks and witty banter, and you are sure to get swept away in the exhilarating storytelling and gorgeous language of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, his timeless and nearly perfect comedy of intrepid disguises, mistaken identities, and dazzling romance.

April 11-21

Subscriber

22

“. . . an enchanting endorsement of love in defiance of convention.” —Variety

JUNE 4 - 12, 2024

Join Marc Williams and Gregg Stull in London and Stratford-upon-Avon and explore the rich history that is the bedrock of Western theatrical traditions. Along the way, we will share inspiring conversations, backstage tidbits, and thrilling performances as we take in one of the world’s most important theatre cities and the birthplace of one of our most revered playwrights!

After a wildly successful Study Abroad Trip in May of 2023 with our students, it seems all too obvious to us that our patrons will enjoy taking in this wonderful city and all that it has to offer in its rich history, architecture, theatre, and much more. We are thrilled to bring you along on our first UMW Theatre London adventure!

The National Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe

The Palace Theatre

HOP ACROSS THE POND WITH US!

The trip includes:

a “get acquainted” gathering prior to departure

round trip airfare to London

hotel transfers by coach

two nights in Stratford-upon-Avon and five nights in London

double-occupancy lodging

welcome dinner

daily breakfast

Oyster Card (London Tube and bus pass with £50 credit)

tickets to six plays/musicals and a theatre tour

farewell dinner

plenty of free time for shopping and exploring all hotel taxes, porter, and driver gratuities

a $100 per person tax-deductible donation to UMW Theatre

All for only $5,875 per person! (or $6,875 for single occupancy)

To reserve your spot, go to FredTix.com to download a registration form.

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse Harrods Luxury Department Store Historic Stratford-upon-Avon

The London Eye

Background: The London Skyline & Big Ben

Marc Williams, assistant professor of theatre, is a director and vocal coach and the leader of UMW Theatre’s study abroad program in London. Gregg Stull, professor of theatre, is the producing director of UMW Theatre.

That’s right! Our ever-popular UMW Theatre Road Trips are back this season, and we are hard at work securing tickets at a variety of theatres. Join us for exceptional performances in Washington, D.C. AND—perhaps we’ll travel SOUTH this year! We make it easy for you! Park your car at duPont Hall and board our charter bus where your host will talk with you about the production you are about to experience as you travel to the theatre. The bus will drop you at the front door and will return to pick you up. On the way home, your host will lead you and your fellow theatregoers in a post-performance discussion about the show. Come along for the ride—going to the theatre in Washington (AND MAYBE RICHMOND) could not be easier!

We are currently working with a number of theatres to make our Road Trips as incredible as they have ever been, but at press time, we do not have definitive information to share. In the meantime, here are some titles and theatres that we are considering:

My Mama and the Full-Scale Invasion by Sasha Denisova at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company – Washington, D.C.

Funny Girl music & lyrics by Jule Styne & Bob Merrill, book by Isobel Lennart at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Ragtime music & lyrics by Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens, book by Terrence McNally at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va.

Fat Ham by James Ijames at Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Macbeth by William Shakespeare at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.

Hair music by Galt MacDermot, book & lyrics by Gerome Ragni & James Rado at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va.

Six music, book, & lyrics by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss at Altria Theater in Richmond, Va.

Be on the lookout for more information in your mailbox soon!

I couldn’t be happier with my decision to be a theatre major. Having the chance to grow and learn with a group of people who reassure and support each other the way this department does is something I could have never imagined. I’m truly grateful to everyone I’ve gotten to know and I’m excited to see where the next two years take me in this community.”

—Nikki Rizzo ’25

BRING A GROUP

Men On Boats

Bring a Group to Klein Theatre!

Gather your friends and colleagues for a memorable performance in Klein Theatre. Our productions offer perfect and affordable opportunities to celebrate a special occasion, escape for a night out, or just get together with the favorite people in your life. We work with all kinds of groups to create a special experience—businesses, social and civic clubs, faith gatherings, student organizations, fraternities, sororities, and alumni chapters. Our personal touch makes creating a group experience convenient and effortless.

Gathering a Group is Easy!

If you have 10 or more people, you are a group! This entitles you to early booking, discounted tickets, and flexible payment terms.

Booking Tickets is Simple!

Our Group Sales staff will work closely with you to reserve your tickets before single tickets go on sale to the public— ensuring you great seats as well as availability for performances that sell out quickly.

We will work with you to establish a date for you to commit to a final number of tickets and pay for them. Our flexible approach makes it easy for you to bring your group to the theatre.

Get in Touch!

For more information about Group Sales, email groups@fredtix.com or call (540) 654-1243.

We would love to help you plan a theatre event for your group!

Mason Clark ’24 in The Play That Goes Wrong

Oscar León ’23 in The Rocky Horror Show

The

Give To THEATRE

Hannah Chester ’23 and Mason Clark ’24 in Pride and Prejudice

culture of supporting one another at UMW Theatre is unmatched. We share the same inspiration and I am compelled to build a community like this wherever I go in life.”

—Mason Clark ’24

Help us help them!

When you join us for a performance, you are a part of our students’ educational journeys.Without an audience in the theatre, they cannot have the conversation that our plays and musicals inspire. You play an important role in helping them to develop as young theatre artists.

Producing theatre and creating learning opportunities are costly endeavors. We want to do everything we can to bring in guest artists to help our students gain new perspectives and to network in the professional world. We want to support them when they have a chance to go to a national conference or to audition for summer theatre. We want to be sure we can help them produce plays in Studio 115 where they grow in the skills and knowledge they get in our classrooms and studios.

Many of our students struggle to make ends meet with tuition, room and board, books, and supplies. We want, more than anything else, our students to be fully focused on their work in order to be the strongest they can be when they leave UMW. This is critical in order for them to be competitive when they seek their first job after graduation.

We are committed to doing everything we can to support our students. We hope you will partner with us to provide what our students need to succeed at UMW. Won’t you consider joining UMW Theatre and supporting our talented students?

Join today!

Membership with UMW Theatre enables you to:

• give scholarships and sponsor unique educational activities for theatre students

• receive acknowledgement in production programs

• receive advance notice of special opportunities and events

For more information, and to join online, visit cas.umw.edu/theatre/make-a-gift

The support from both faculty and staff during my time with UMW Theatre has been unbelievable, and I feel so much more prepared to enter the workforce as a theatre professional. The department has also given me the ability to find myself and a fantastic group of friends!”

—Rylie Vann ’25

Rylie Vann ’25 programming at the light board in Klein Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show

At UMW Theatre I have been able to grow as an artist and as a well-rounded professional, thanks to the amazing faculty and staff who have made me feel completely comfortable to make mistakes and grow from them. It’s an environment where I have felt welcome and has prepared me to go into the world with confidence.”

Oscar León ’23

The Fine Print

Tickets

Tickets are available at the Klein Theatre Box Office in duPont Hall starting two weeks before opening. Tickets are also available online through our website, www.FredTix.com and by calling (540) 654-1111. UMW/GCC pricing requires visiting the box office in person and presenting a student ID. Handling fees apply to telephone orders and convenience fees apply to online orders.

Season Passes

Season Passes are available online at www.FredTix.com anytime, at the Klein Theatre Box Office in-person, and over the phone until the first production closes. Please visit cas. umw.edu/theatre for Box Office hours. Free exchanges are offered prior to the Box Office opening to the public for single ticket sales.

Groups

Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, call the Director of Group Sales, Taryn Snyder, at (540) 654-1243 or email groups@fredtix.com.

AfterWords

AfterWords post-show discussions allow you the opportunity to speak to the actors and ask questions about the process of mounting a production. Be sure to stick around to hear from our students about their experiences working on a show with us!

Pay-What-You-Can Preview

Our preview performance is Pay-What-You-Can. Simply go to the Klein Theatre Box Office two hours before curtain and pay whatever amount you wish for your general admission ticket. Arrive early to guarantee your seat in the theatre!

Health and Safety

Please visit www.FredTix.com/health for any health and safety-related information.

Content Advisories

Please visit www.FredTix.com for content advisories.

Information

Season subject to change. For more information, call the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111 or visit cas.umw.edu/theatre.

Location

Klein Theatre is located in duPont Hall on College Avenue at Thornton Street.

Parking

There is plenty of free parking along College Avenue and in the lot on Thornton Street. Two short-term box office parking spaces are available during Box Office hours.

Sensory-Friendly Performance

The November 18 matinee of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical will be a sensory-friendly performance designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning, or cognitive disabilities and their families and companions. Sound and lighting levels will be adjusted, and guests will be free to talk or leave their seats during the performance. For more information, call Jon Reynolds at 540-654-2233.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available. Please inquire when purchasing tickets. Accessible parking is available in the Thornton Street lot and in the rear of duPont Hall.

Assistive listening devices are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the Klein Theatre Box Office.

Large print programs are available at the Klein Theatre Box Office.

We are eager to help you plan your visit. For more information on accessibility or parking, please call the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111.

Photography by Geoff Greene

Production Artwork by Justin Slone

1301 College Avenue

Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5300

Being a part of UMW Theatre has drastically expanded my knowledge and love of theatre. I have discovered new interests in the department and grown as an actor from the community’s encouragement, support, and knowledge.”

—Emma Magner ’25

Emma Magner ’25 and Emily Kile ’24 in Pride and Prejudice