Theatre department takes stage

Renowned classics, new contemporary plays and musicals are being brought to life by the University of South Dakota’s Department of Theatre this year.

Listed on the theatre department’s website, this season will kick off on Sept. 28, 29 and 30 with “Medea,” a classic tale of revenge when a woman is wronged by her husband in ancient Greece.

Theatre Department Chair Eric Hagen deals mostly with publicity for the shows and said he is excited for “Medea” because it involves not only acting, but also puppets and masks.

“It’s a Greek classic and we’re particularly excited to have students working in mask,” he said. “That’s a dynamic feature.”

The department will also present “Brigadoon,” which is about a whimsical Scottish town that reappears in the mist every century. The show will play Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 2.

Homage will also be paid to Charlie Chaplin for four shows beginning Feb. 20 with “Silent Laughter,” the story of a hero in the 1920s on a journey to overcome countless obstacles just to get the girl.

The most well-known show this season will be “Rent,” premiering April 17 through April 21. The Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of young musicians trying to gain success and features many songs that have become famous throughout the years.

Hagen said the musical was chosen because it has never been done by USD before. While every show is marketed toward the general public, “Rent” is aimed more at students.

“It’s something students will relate to,” he said. “It’s a current musical, so it balances out ‘Brigadoon,’ which is kind of a more classical musical.”

While all the aforementioned shows will be held in the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts, two productions will also be held in the smaller, more intimate Arena Theater inside the center.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will be a darker show about a character whose life is flipped upside down when he answers the cell phone of a man who has died. “The Mirror Princess” is a light-hearted musical based on a Korean tale of a young girl with aspirations of becoming a princess.

“We’re always excited to show the public really diverse stories,” Hagen said.

Student Government Association Vice President  junior DJ Smith said he has always enjoyed attending theatre performances.

“I am incredibly pumped for the shows,” he said. “Every year USD does an amazing job with the performances and the set, and being able to see your peers in roles that you have seen on Broadway or the big screen makes it that much better.”

Tickets to all performances are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, $10 for youth and non-USD students and $5 for USD students with a valid student ID.

For a complete description of shows, show times and to reserve tickets, visit USD’s Department of Theatre website.

Reach reporter Anna Burleson at [email protected]