The 2016-17 Sonoma State University Theatre Arts and Dance season includes new, contemporary dances and short plays created and performed by students, critically acclaimed plays and a joint production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" with the Music Department, directed by Lynne Morrow and Amanda McTigue.
New this year, Sonoma State students now get two free tickets to every Theatre Arts and Dance production. Also new this year is the Play It Forward campaign at Sonoma State. This community-building initiative invites Sonoma State groups and clubs to attend a Theatre Arts and Dance production, and in return the cast and crew will attend an event, fundraiser or game to support that organization.
One performance of each production includes SSU Faculty and Staff night. For that performance, tickets for Sonoma State University faculty and staff are free (regularly $15). These coincide with Family and Friends nights, in which all regular tickets are $5.
For more information contact Jodie Ellis at (707) 664.2325 or ellisjo@sonoma.edu.
Waiting for the Parade
By John Murrell, directed by Danielle Cain
October 13-23
Studio 76, Ives Hall
Five Canadian women work for the war effort while their men are away, each responding differently to civilian life during World War II. Catherine's husband is overseas; she copes by working in a cantina and socializing with another man. Margaret's son fights abroad, while the other joins the communist party. Janet's husband avoids active service; she compensates with bullying patriotism and volunteer work. There is also Eve, a young schoolteacher, and Marta, a German immigrant whose father is interned as a spy. Couched in 1940s music, the dynamics and tension between the women reflect the paradox of war itself. Some thrive, others recoil; some find laughter and others only worry. In the end, "Parade" shows how the pressure of extraordinary circumstances reveals character.
Thursday, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 16, 2 p.m. (with post-show discussion); Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. (pre-show talk at 6:30, SSU employees free, other tickets $5, free pizza); Friday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 23, 2 p.m.
Heart & Soul - Fall Dance Concert 2016
Original SSU student choreography, directed by Christine Cali
November 3-6
Person Theatre
Fearless, new and cutting edge, SSU's talented dance artists perform "Heart" and "Soul," two explosive shows that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Full of raw energy, movement and emotion, the Fall Dance Concert includes a broad range of dance genres including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and ballet.
"Heart"
Thursday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. ($5 tickets, free pizza, SSU employees free, post-show discussion); Saturday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m.
"Soul"
Friday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. ($5 tickets, free pizza, SSU employees free, post-show discussion); Saturday, Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m.
The Bluebird
By Maurice Maeterlinck, adapted by Alison Farina, directed by Judy Navas
December 1-10
Person Theatre
A beautiful and enchanting fairy-tale, "The Bluebird" tells the story of one child's Christmas quest to find the magical "Bluebird of Happiness." Through a fantastical journey that spans the Lands of Memory, the Palaces of Night and Luxury, and the Kingdom of the Future, we find excitement, adventure, new friends, old enemies and perhaps the answer to the greatest question of all: What is the secret of true happiness?
Thursday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. (K-12 free); Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. (post-show discussion); Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.(K-12 free); Thursday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. (pre-show talk at 6:30, SSU employees free, other tickets $5, free pizza); Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Magic Flute
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder
Direction by Lynne Morrow, stage direction by Amanda McTigue
Coproduced by the Music and Theatre Arts & Dance departments
Feb. 23-March 5
Person Theatre
In a mythical land between the sun and the moon, three mysterious ladies serving the Queen of the Night save Prince Tamino from a serpent. A fantastic journey begins as Tamino falls in love with the Queen's beautiful daughter Pamina, kidnapped by the evil lord Sarastro. The Magic Flute has it all: lovers falling in love tortuously through discovery and challenge, bitter hate-filled ex-spouses, power struggles, juicy villains, and mystical beings descending from the skies. As magical as the flute it celebrates, Mozart's final opera is beloved for its blend of fantastical storytelling, appealing characters, Shakespearian scope, emotional range (from silly to wrenching) and, always, the exquisite beauty of its music.
Thursday, Feb. 23-Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 26, 5p (post-show discussion); Wednesday, March 1, 10 a.m. (piano only, K-12 free); Thursday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. ($5 tickets, SSU employees free, free pizza); Friday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 5, 2 p.m.
Spring Dance Concert 2017
Faculty and guest artist choreography, directed by Christine Cali
April 21-29
Person Theatre
Join SSU Dance Professor Christine Cali and highly acclaimed guest artists as they presents new inspiring and eclectic works featuring SSU dance students.
Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. (post-show discussion); Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 23, 2 p.m.; Thursday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. ($5 tickets, SSU employees free, free pizza, pre-show talk at 6:30); Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.
Power Lines: A New Play Festival with Hard Hats
Written by SSU students, festival director Scott Horstein
May 4-13
Studio 76, Ives Hall
After years of the magmatic Mega Hot Lava new play festival of readings, the lava couldn't be contained any longer. Come see a new generation of plays written, directed and designed by students.
Thursday, May 4-Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 11, 7:30 p.m. ($5 tickets, SSU employees free, free pizza); Friday, May 12, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 13, 7:30 p.m.