Coming to UM-Flint Theatre and Dance: "A Season of Styles"

The University of Michigan-Flint Department of Theatre and Dance has announced its Main Stage productions for next season.

"Our 2012-2013 Season is made up of four play selections that were written in very different time periods, making it necessary for them to be produced with four very different styles of acting and production values. Thus, "a season of styles," said Associate Professor Steve Landon.

Urinetown
Book by Greg Kotis, Music by Mark Hollmann, Lyrics by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann

Oct. 26-28; Nov. 3, 9, 11, 2012: This musical takes place in a Gotham-like city in the future, where a 20-year drought has caused an unprecedented water shortage. The Government bans the use of all private toilets, forcing the citizens to use public amenities owned by a sinister company that charges a fee . . . to pee! Reaching his limit, an unlikely hero emerges to lead a revolution that will free them all from the tyranny of paying to pee.

The Menaechmus Brothers
By Titus Maccius Plautus, Translated by E.F. Watling

November 2, 4, 10, 16-18, 2012: The Menaechmus Brothers tells the story of twin brothers separated in childhood by a vile kidnapper. Now adults, they find themselves in the Greek city of Epidamnus. Mistaken identity abounds as they meet everyone in the city, except for each other. Featuring a cast of clueless twins, clever slaves, seductive prostitutes, quack doctors, burly sailors, disgruntled wives, gourmet chefs, tottering fathers and even a hungry parasite–audiences will be laughing, while seeing double.

Good People
By David Lindsay-Abaire

February 8-10; 15-17, 2013: Why does opportunity knock for some and not for others? Is it nature or nurture? In this South Boston neighborhood, a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo . . . this month's paycheck covers last month's bills . . . and Margie Walsh was just let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, she thinks an old fling, who has made it out of Southie, might be her ticket to a fresh start. But is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has to find out.

The Learned Ladies
By Molière, Translated by Richard Wilbur

April 5-7; 12-14, 2013: As he attempts to raise his station in society, a charismatic swindler employs poetry and intellectual pretense to sway the hearts of society ladies who yearn to be as cultured as they are wealthy. This 17th-century French satire lampoons intellectual pretense for the modern audience, with a translation that is delightful to laugh at and to laugh with.

"Each year, when considering our season, an emphasis is put on the educational value our selection of plays will provide directly to our students, and indirectly to our audience," noted Landon. "By choosing four stylistically different plays for the 2012-2013 Season, the Department of Theatre and Dance will be providing a richer experience for our performance and technical students and for our audiences as well."

Main Stage Dance:
Movements
Choreography by Dance faculty

March 15 and 16, 2013: The disciplines of dance and visual arts have enjoyed an enduring, well-respected relationship. Both art forms are celebrated as dance students perform a repertoire of dynamic, original choreography that explores a wide range of visual arts movements.

In Addition:

Under Milk Wood
By Dylan Thomas

UM-Flint Black Box Theatre, October 4 and 5, 2012: . This deeply human piece introduces the villagers of the fictional Welsh seaside town of Llareggub. Thomas employs his lyrical power and gentle–yet pointed–humor to study each character through a tour of dreams, memories and waking life. This staged reading is made possible by collaboration between the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of History, in celebration of the Wyatt Exploration Program. Admission is free.

Student Choreographic Showcase
November 29, 2012: This annual event highlights the talents of our student dancers and choreographers. Original work, in a variety of styles and vetted through an audition process, is performed in the UM-Flint Theatre. Admission is $5.00.