The University Theatre has a diverse season planned, from famous plays by Shakespeare and Neil Simon to experimental modern works. The Robinson Theatre’s season will kick off with “Rumors,” one of Neil Simon’s best-loved comedies. “Rumors” is a play about several wealthy couples that show up to a dinner party in New York City only to discover the servants and hostess missing and the host a bit under the weather. The show runs Nov. 11 to 26. Next up in Robinson is “After Mrs. Rochester” by Polly Teale.
“This is a really remarkable, beautiful play- but pretty dark,” said John Schmor, an associate professor of theater for the University. “After Mrs. Rochester” explores the life of novelist Jean Rhys, who wrote a novel about the early life of Mrs. Rochester, a character from “Jane Eyre.” The show will run March 3 to 18.
Schmor will be directing the last play of the season shown in Robinson Theatre, Shakespeare’s classic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” For anyone unfamiliar with the play, it’s about the timeless subject of unrequited love.
Schmor plans to direct it a bit untraditionally.
“I’ll be placing it in several different periods, and it will be more about dreamscape and less about fairies with wings in the woods,” he said. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be showing May 19 until June 3.
Three shows will also play this season in the Arena Theatre, a smaller venue that has a seating capacity for 80 to 100 people. Each of these plays deals with a relevant social issue. The first, “A Piece of My Heart,” by Shirley Lauro, will run Oct. 26 through Nov. 5. The play is based on the experiences of six American women who served in the Vietnam War and their struggles during its aftermath. Next up is “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail,” a play about civil disobedience as a form of war protest. This will show Feb. 8 to 18. Finally, “The Baltimore Waltz ” explores the emotional reaction of a woman watching her brother die of complications from AIDS, and will play April 26 to May 6.
“We try really hard to make sure we have a variety of things for people to come and see,” said Schmor. Auditions for Robinson Theatre plays are open to the public, but only University students may audition for Arena Theatre plays. Audition information is posted in Villard Hall.