Theatre

Past Season — 2008-2009

Ticket Information
Main Stage Productions
Second Stage Productions

Main Stage

The Last Mass at St. Casimir's

October 17-26, 2008
Written by Tom Dudzick
Directed by Herschel Kruger

Showtimes:

Oct. 17-19, 24 — 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 — 3 p.m.
Oct. 26 — 2 p.m.

Synopsis:

The third and final leg of Tom Dudzick’s trilogy of plays about the Pazinskis—a Polish-Catholic family living in Buffalo, N.Y., during the1950s, ’60s, and, in this installment, the ’70s. This offering, which unfolds during the infamous Blizzard of ’77, dubbed “the blizzard of the century”has a more decidedly serious tone than Over the Tavern and King O’ the Moon. The family patriarch has died, and mom Ellen is selling Chet’s Bar& Grill and its upstairs apartment— the family’s home—and moving on. The question for her three 30-something kids is: What willbecome of 31-year-old Georgie, the fourth sibling? Born mentally retarded, he has begun to develop a memory-loss condition similar to senile dementia.

The Good Woman of Setzuan

November 7-15, 2008
Written by Bertolt Brecht
Directed by Martin McClendon

Showtimes:

Nov. 7-8, 12-14 — 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 — 3 p.m.
Nov. 13-15 — 7:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

Three ancient Chinese gods come to Earth to find one good person, but Shen Te the prostitute is the only one in Setzuan who will take them in. The gods reward her with a fortune, and Shen Te’s poor relatives descend upon her, creating chaos. Suddenly her mysterious cousin Shui Ta appears and ruthlessly restores order, but Shen Te finds her troubles are only beginning. Can she survive and be good too? Playwright Bertolt Brecht’s gripping play looks at people living on the edge and the choices they must make to survive.

Fighting Words

February 13-21, 2009
Written by Sunil Kuruvilla
Directed by Kevin Rich

Showtimes:

Feb. 13-14, 19-21 — 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 — 3 p.m.

Synopsis:

In 1980, boxer Johnny Owen traveled from the small mining town of Merthyr Tydfi l, Wales, to Los Angeles to challenger Lupe Pintor for the world bantamweight championship. It is the story of the women who watched the fi ght on television, while baking in Wales. As they bake a cake, readying for the gathering of women at the gym, Peg, Nia, and Mrs. Davies support and ridicule each other as they reveal their secrets and dreams. As the cake rises in the kitchen, so do the tempers as the women fi ght about who knows Johnny best, then about which one of them he loves more.

Honest

March 27 - April 5, 2009
World Premiere
Written by Academy Award Winner and Tony Nominated Writer and Director Eric Simonson
Directed by Herschel Kruger

Showtimes:

March 27-29 — 7:30 p.m.
April 2-4 — 7:30 p.m.
April 5 — 3 p.m.

Synopsis:

Writer Guy Prescott seems to have it all —youth, celebrity, and a huge advance from one of the biggest publishing houses in the country—until one day a stranger comes to his door and demands he tell him who he really is. What follows is a fascinating tale that takes us back in time, first to Guy’s heady college days, and then to a strange and traumatic family history. It’s a journey fraught with intrigue, lies, heartbreak and the ultimate hoax: self-deception.

Thoroughly Modern Millie

April 24-May 2, 2009
New Music by Jeanine Tesori
New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
Book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan
Directed by Neil Scharnick
Musical Direction by Amy Haines

Showtimes:

April 24-25 — 7:30 p.m.
April 26 — 3 p.m.
April 30 — 7:30 p.m.
May 1-2 — 7:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

Would-be flapper Millie Dillmont leaves Kansas and its safe, familiar drudgeries for Manhattan, determined to get a secretarial job with a rich, handsome boss she can marry. But her scheme to become “thoroughly modern” is sidetracked when she finds herself falling in love with a penniless romantic. Based on the 1967 film musical, this rollicking, unpretentious 2002 Tony winner recalls the joyful “Cinderella musicals” of the 1920s.

Soaring

May 14-15, 2009
Choreographed by Carthage Dance Faculty
Annie Hackett and Katie Sopoci

Showtimes:

May 15-16 — 7:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

The Department of Theatre presents the second annual dance concert featuring choreography by Carthage Dance faculty members Annie Hackett and Katie Sopoci along with Carthage student choreography. This exciting dance event has styles for all tastes including classical and contemporary ballet, jazz, modern, and hip hop. Last year more than 50 Carthage students participated in this exciting showcase.

Second Stage

The Runner Stumbles

Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2008
Written by Milan Stitt
Directed by Eric Stibbe

Showtimes:

Oct. 30-Nov. 1 — 7:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

Father Rivard is a priest in a small, economically depressed coal-mining town. Working on what he thinks is a “controversial” work, he lives with the brutal lives of his poor parishioners, the old, unfriendly nuns in the nearby convent, and his own self-doubts. When Rita, an energetic and bright young sister, arrives at the parish, he finds someone he can talk to, someone with whom he has much in common.

To Gillian on her 37th Birthday

February 5-7, 2009
Written by Michael Brady
Directed by Samantha Tink

Showtimes:

Feb. 5-7 — 7:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

Ever since David’s wife Gillian was killed on her birthday, he has been completely incapable of accepting her death. Each day, he still a down to the beach to “talk” to her, and keep her alive in his mind. As he withdraws further into his fantasy world, he leaves his neglected daughter behind. Hoping to help him, David’s meddling in-laws bring an uninvited guest, and a hidden agenda, for a weekend at David’s beach house.

Last Train to Nibroc

March 5-7, 2009
Written by Arlene Hutton
Directed by Caitlin Robertson

Showtimes:

March 5-7 — 7:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

In December 1940, an east-bound cross-country train carries the bodies of the great American writers Nathanael West and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also on board is May, who shares her seat with a charming young fl yer, Raleigh. Religious and bookish, May plans to be a missionary. Raleigh has been given a medical discharge and, inspired by West and Fitzgerald, is heading to New York to be a writer.

Carthage Theatre

Student Voices

Elodie Senetra, '12

"The biggest and most rewarding surprise I have found at Carthage has been the educational interaction with professional theatre artists who are currently leading and shaping the theatre stages I hope to work on one day."
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Derek Nelson, '12

"I just can't imagine studying anything better than life and people. It is never ending, always challenging, and gives so much back to me. I learn more about myself and more about life with every role I take. It is the ultimate challenge that yields the ultimate reward."
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Mitchell Weindorf, '13

"The opportunities constantly present themselves to students in the department, all they have to do is reach out and take them."
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Read student voices from graduated students.