The University of Central Arkansas Theatre has announced its line-up of productions for the 2011-2012 season. The season opens with Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle. This 2005 Off-Broadway hit follows Lucy, a 4 year-old who is left alone far too many times by her promiscuous mother. Lucy only wants to have tea with her imaginary friend, Mr. Marmalade, but he’s too busy at the office. This savage, dark comedy explores the way children absorb adult issues and what it takes for them to grow up in these troubled times. The play is recommended for mature audiences only and is under the direction of Dr. Kevin Thomas Browne. Production dates are Nov. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center, 201 Donaghey in Conway. Tickets are $10 for the general public and two free with a current UCA I.D.
The Festival of One Act Plays will take place Dec. 6-8, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center. Two to three different one acts will be performed each evening, directed by the 2011 Directing Class and involving over 50 actors and crew. Play titles and subject matter will be available online at www.uca.edu/theatre beginning in mid-November. Admission is free and tickets are not required. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain.
UCA Theatre’s own traveling troupe of players, The Cadron Company, will present The King of the Ice Cream Mountain by J.J. Mundis and R. E. Leonard. The Kingdom of Frozenburr is where all the world’s ice cream is mined and is ruled by the long-suffering King Bumpygruff, who can’t seem to find a remedy for his sore feet. When he offers half his kingdom for a cure, the wicked Zeno plans to take over the realm, but Muffles the Penguin and Princess Happy have other ideas. This captivating children’s play will delight audiences of all ages, but is especially fun for children age 4 through 10 and is under the direction of Liz Parker. The play will be presented on Feb. 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 4, 2012 at 10 a.m. in the Reynolds Performance Hall. Admission is free. Tickets are not required and seats are not reserved. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain. After the two campus performances, the play will begin touring elementary schools in the central Arkansas area.
Our Town by Thornton Wilder will run Feb. 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center. Change comes slowly to the people of Grover’s Corners, as life’s fundamental meaning and significance are contemplated in this Pulitzer Prize winning drama. We follow the Gibbs and Webb families as they come to grips with life’s joys and sorrows in this American classic directed by Dr. Greg Blakey. Tickets are $10 each for the general public and two free with a current UCA I.D.
One of Shakespeare’s funniest plays, The Taming of the Shrew, takes the stage on April 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 2012 at 7:30 pm in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center and is directed by Chris Fritzges. In this enduring classic, we find that the beautful Bianca cannot be married until her elder sister, Katharina, is betrothed. But getting someone to tolerate Katharina’s shrewish behavior is a major obstacle. Enter Petruchio, a fortune-seeker, who takes on the challenge…for a price, of course. Tickets are $10 each and two free with a current UCA I.D.
Tickets to all UCA Theatre performances are handled through UCA Ticket Central regardless of the performance venue. Ticket Central is located in the Reynolds Performance Hall, 201 Donaghey in Conway. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations can be made by calling 501-450-3265. The general public may also purchase tickets online at . www.uca.edu/tickets Further information regarding UCA Theatre can be obtained online at https://uca.edu/theatre/ or by calling 501-450-5092.