September 3, 1999

Department of Drama and Speech announces theater schedule

by David Dahlgren

A regional premiere and classical selections highlight the 1999­00 season of the Loyola University Theatre produced by the Department of Drama and Speech. Opening the season will be Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin, directed by Dr. Donald Brady. Comedian Steve Martin's first play is a shaggy dog of a comedy about our century as seen through the eyes of Elvis Presley, Picasso, and Einstein. This long-running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy mixes the sublime with the ridiculous so they can't be easily disentangled. View this consistently entertaining comedy in the Lower Depths Theater on October 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 8 p.m. and October 17 at 2 p.m.

Complementing the absurdist play will be the classic tale The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe dramatized by Joseph Robinette from the story by C.S. Lewis, directed by Ernest Ferlita, S.J. This new dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic, set in the land of Narnia, recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. A story of love, faith, courage, and giving with its triumph of good over evil is a true celebration of life. Presented at Marquette Theater on November 12 and 19 at 8 p.m. and November 13, 14, and 20 at 2 p.m.

William Shakespeare's The Tempest is to be directed by local impresario Ricky Graham. A shipwrecked yachting party, a mad scientist, a vengeful monster, lovers in glamorous evening clothes, a moonlit terrace, and martinis are included in a production reset in the stylized dream-world of the 1930s. Set sail for a storm of intrigue and an island of romance at Marquette Theatre on March 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 8 p.m. and March 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

Rounding out the season will be the Fall Senior Project One-act Festival on December 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and the Spring Senior Project One-act Festival on April 5, 6, 12, 13, 27, and 28 at 7 p.m. Produced and directed by the senior class, a rich variety is offered in the Lower Depths Theatre with free admission. Theatre at Loyola originated with the Thespian Troupe in 1949, continuing a long tradition of dedication to the training of the future theatre artist and audiences of tomorrow.

Group rates available for all productions. For more information, call ext. 3840.