SARASOTA: The FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s 42nd season includes a “translaptation” of Molière’s The Misanthrope; a black comedy farce; a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about disturbing family relationships; and a retelling of a famous Greek tragedy about the collision between the state and personal responsibility that will mark the return of director Andrei Malaev-Babel to Asolo.
According to director Greg Leaming, the 2013-2014 season will be a continuation of the Conservatory’s tradition of edgy, progressive and innovative theatrical productions.
“We’re delighted to present four one-of-a-kind plays to celebrate the Conservatory’s 42nd season,” says Leaming. “We’ll start with some twisted time travel in the form of David Ive’s rousing take on The Misanthrope, Molière’s milestone of classical theater. We’ll follow that with Joe Orton’s most acclaimed play, Loot, a work of darkly comic perfection. Our third production, Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, has been praised for its haunting, lyric tone. Finally, we’ll be treated to Jean Anouilh’s Antigone—a tragedy inspired by Greek mythology and the play of the same name. This will be directed by the Conservatory’s head of acting, Andrei Malaev-Babel. He’s a true visionary who always takes audiences on transformative journeys.”
Leaming notes that this season’s creative blend of styles, epochs and playwrights reflects the FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s dual mission of training acting students and engaging audiences. Students in their second year will perform the roles in this season’s four performances.
“Our selection always includes works from classical dramatic literature, as well as modern masterpieces,” explains Leaming. “Our second-year students get to flex their muscles, push themselves creatively, and explore a stimulating mix of roles and situations. Simultaneously, our audiences get a chance to see rarely performed works.”
Leaming adds that this season the Conservatory will continue to feature a special $100 subscription price for all four plays. “While we’re eager to raise much-needed funds for the Conservatory, we also want to make sure that our ticket prices stay affordable.”
The FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s 2013-2014 season:
October 29–November 17, 2013
The School For Lies
Adapted from Moliere's The Misanthrope
By David Ives; directed by Greg Leaming
It’s 1666 and, in the glittering salons of Paris, a surly misanthrope falls in love with the very fashionable Celimene, causing chaos and catastrophe in everyone’s lives. Written with brilliant verbal dexterity by one of America’s greatest farceurs, and inspired by the titan of French theater.
December 31, 2013–January 19, 2014
Loot
By Joe Orton; directed by Jonathan Epstein
A wild, black farce by one of the 20th century’s most anarchic playwrights. Hal and Dennis try to hide the loot from a bank robbery while juggling a grieving widower, a mother’s corpse, a predatory nurse, and a sinister police inspector in this brilliant English comedy.
February 18–March 9, 2014
How I Learned To Drive
By Paula Vogel; directed by Jesse Jou
L’il Bit has put her past behind her, but her dark and dangerous relationship with her Uncle Peck continues to haunt her in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play about disturbing family relationships and a culture that sexualizes young women.
April 8–April 27, 2014
Antigone
By Jean Anouilh, directed by Andrei Malaev
A retelling of the famous Greek tragedy about the collision between the state and personal responsibility in a modern version that reveals just how dangerous it is for the individual to take a stand in the 20th century.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $27 for preview nights; $28 for matinees; and $29 for evening shows. Single tickets for subscribers go on saleSeptember 11, 2013; single tickets for the general public are available are on sale online on September 29, 2013; and at the FSU/Asolo Center for Performing Arts box office on September 30, 2013. A special subscription offer of $100 for all four plays is currently being offered.
All productions are Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., at the Jane B. Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Asolo Rep's box office at the FSU Center for Performing Arts; 941-351-8000.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATORY
The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training is a celebrated three-year graduate program culminating in a master of fine arts degree. For more than 30 years, tens of thousands of actors from across the continent have auditioned for admission. A maximum of 12 students are admitted each year. In their second year, the students perform in the Cook Theatre, a 161-seat space designed to create an intimate experience for the audience and actors. Third-year students are seen on the Mertz Stage working with the Asolo Rep's professional actors in exciting and significant roles. For more information, visit www.asolorep.org.
Comments
No comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.