The 2012-13 theatre season at Lee University will soon be underway, featuring four “must see” plays and performances.
This season’s schedule will begin with “Jekyll & Hyde” Oct. 11-15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Edna Minor Conn Theatre (EMC).
“Jekyll & Hyde” is directed by senior theater student Lindsay Hanson.
This modern adaptation of the classic story follows Dr. Henry Jekyll in his attempt to isolate and cure the bestial parts of man's nature. The play features innovative use of dual-casting, demonstrating the psychological complexity and duality of human nature, and revealing the necessity of combating our darker ambitions.
“Big River,” a musical adaptation of Mark Twain's beloved classic, “Huck Finn,” will run Nov. 2-3 and 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dixon Center. This musical performance will be directed by Assistant Professor of Theater Dan Buck.
The novel and the musical are a continuation of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” When Huck's estranged father returns to capitalize on his son's good fortune, Huck flees and meets Jim, a runaway slave. The two outcasts travel the river, sharing adventures which lead to Huck’s changing view of slavery and God's will.
An original theatre production written by Buck and Lee theatre students, “Lessons” will run Feb. 14-18 at 7:30 p.m. in the EMC.
With “Lessons,” Lee Theatre explored devised theatre for the first time. Five students were commissioned in the summer of 2012 to collaborate with Buck in the creation of a piece of theatre from scratch. The group’s efforts formed a concept and structure of the resulting drama, accompanied by music.
Directed by Mr. Buck, “Lessons” follows the lives of four unique individuals who are all taking music lessons with the same teacher. As they wrestle with their respective instruments of choice, they also find themselves entangled with obstacles to true joy in their lives.
“Sabrina Fair” will be featured April 5-6 and 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dixon Center. This romantic comedy will be directed by Dr. Christine Williams, assistant professor of theater.
“Sabrina Fair” is set on Long Island in the 1950s and deals with the affluent Larrabee family and Sabrina Fairchild, daughter of their family chauffeur. Sabrina returns from Paris where she has done a brilliant job as an executive in a U.S. government overseas office. She quickly finds herself faced with the romantic dilemma of two suitors vying for her affection.
Dr. Williams said, "I am really excited to bring this classic story to our stage. The Audrey Hepburn movie, “Sabrina,” is a classic and I think our audiences will really enjoy this romantic comedy. It is sure to please the whole family!"
Mr. Buck joined the Lee theatre faculty in the fall of 2010. He teaches classes in acting, directing, and drama literature.
He has worked as a professional actor and improviser in the Boston and Orlando areas and he created a high school theatre program for a private school which he directed for five years. Buck is a published critic, produced playwright and director for the theatre program at Lee, as well as the sponsor of the improvisational team, “Shenanigans.”
Dr. Williams joined the Lee University theatre faculty in 2007 and since has directed several productions such as “The Chairs,” “The Trojan Women,” “An Ideal Husband,” “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” “The Winter's Tale,” “My Fair Lady” and “Tartuffe.”
Dr. Williams has worked as a director, producer and designer on more than 20 college, church and community theatre productions including “Little Women”, “The Bald Soprano”, “Taming of the Shrew” and “Man of La Mancha”.
The Edna Minor Conn Theatre is located in Room 305 of the Vest Building.
Tickets for “Big River” are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets for all other productions are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students.
For more information you may call the Box Office at 423 614-8343, email theatre@leeuniversity.edu, or visit www.leeuniversity.edu/theatre.edu. Fans can also join the Facebook page "Lee University Theatre."