Thursday, August 02, 2007

Ithaca College 2007 - 2008 Season



ITHACA, NY—Ithaca College Theatre once again takes to the stage to present the 2007–8 season of comedies, dramas, musicals and opera. This challenging and entertaining season features superb student talent under the direction of the renowned Ithaca College
faculty and staff. Season subscriptions are available. Call (607) 274- 3224 for details.


The season opens in October with “Hedda Gabler” written by Henrik Ibsen and adapted by Andrew Upton. This classic drama gives us a woman grappling with the wreckage of the traditional roles of daughter, wife, mother and lover. Upton’s adaptation contributes to
the dark tension running through Hedda’s head as she weighs her bleak choices. “Hedda Gabler” is not included in the season subscription; single tickets will be available for purchase.

Set in Buffalo, New York, the “The Full Monty”follows a group of men trying to earn a little respect and dignity along with a whole lot of cash. This musical revolves around a reversal of gender roles, where women are the breadwinners and men are up on stage, down to
their g-strings, baring it all. Funny and racy, “The Full Monty” is intended for mature audiences only.


In December, Alfred Uhry’s Tony Award–winning play “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” will round out the first half of the season. The play opens in 1939 Atlanta as the Freitags, Southern and Jewish, decorate their Christmas tree. Boo is obsessing about getting her daughter, Lala, a date for Ballyhoo, the social event of the year; Lala anticipates the premiere of “Gone with the Wind”;
Cousin Sunny returns home for the holiday from Wellesley; Aunt Reba knits; and Uncle Adolph brings handsome, observantly Jewish Joe from Brooklyn home for dinner. The play allows us to laugh along but urges us to open our minds to the potential to change in the face of intolerance.



Guest director David Lefkowich (“The Merry Widow,” “Acis and Galatea”) will return once again to direct the annual collaboration between the School of Music and the Department of Theatre Arts in February.


One of Mozart’s most zany operas, “La Finta Giardiniera” gives us mistaken identity, spurned heroines, raving lunacy and the highest fits of Italian passion. Serpetta loves Don Anchise. Don Anchise loves Sandrina. Sandrina loves Count Belfiore. Count Belfiore, believing to have murdered his former lover, is about to marry Arminda. Will order be restored to the city of Lagornero once more?



In March, come celebrate the quadrennial dance concert “Dance: No Translation Needed.” Experience the energy and excitement of dance in this evening of original work featuring the choreography of the Department of Theatre Arts’ celebrated dance faculty. Watch the language of the body move through the styles of jazz, ballet, modern and tap.



The season closes in April “with pomp, with triumph, and with reveling,” as Ithaca College Theatre proudly presents Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” One of Shakespeare’s most loved and accessible comedies, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” uses love potions and the forest’s magic to play with the minds and hearts of the beloved characters. Join the jealous gods, foolish mortals, puckish faeries, and earnest players for an enchanting night full of fear and laughter and enjoy the dream along with them.