By
Shaun Clayton
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Drama, comedy and Shakespeare to come to life on stage
Fall has come once again to the University of Arizona, no doubt about it - the bookstore is awash with students, the parking spaces become rarer than snow in Tucson and the Arizona Repertory Theatre (ART) has announced its 2000-2001 season. The lineup is as follows:
The Good Doctor (Aug. 30-31, Sept. 1-3, 8-9)
"The Good Doctor" details the life of Anton Chekhov, a writer famous for his short stories. Appropriately, Neil Simon penned "The Good Doctor" as a compilation of 10 different short stories written about the author. This play was first put on by ART in June and has been brought back for the fall.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Oct. 15-16, Oct. 18-22, 26-29, Nov. 2-5)
Sex, power and morality are the central themes in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," set around the French aristocracy of the 1780s. The widow Marquise de Meurtuil and the nobleman Vicomte de Valmont use the virtuous Madame de Tourvel as a pawn in their game of intrigue. For the layperson, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" was the play from which the 1988 movie, "Dangerous Liaisons" was developed - and featured John Malkovich not being John Malkovich.
Into the Woods (Nov. 5-6, Nov. 8-12, 16-19, 30, Dec. 1-3)
Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack (of the Beanstalk) are just a few of the characters in the musical "Into the Woods" who learn that "happily ever after" does not always turn out that way. For instance, Jack may have killed the giant, but now he has to deal with the giant's wife. Wacky, though slightly dark, comedy from Sondheim.
Crimes of the Heart (Feb. 11-12, Feb. 14-18, 22-25, March 1-4)
Sisters Lenny, Meg and Babe are brought together at the Mississippi home of their dying grandfather. While there, the women examine their lives and the crises that accompany them with a strong dose of humor. Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for drama.
Angels in America (March 4-5, March 7-11, 22-25, 29-31, April 1)
"Angels in America" focuses on eight main characters, ranging from married couples to gay lovers. In doing so, it touches on themes such as religion, relationships and politics, while also confronting a much more contemporary issue - AIDS. Winner of four Tony Awards, the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and numerous other commendations.
King Lear (April 1-2, April 4-8, 12-15, 19-22)
What would the theater be without Shakespeare? What would Shakespeare be without insane royalty? The mad monarch in this case is King Lear, who descends into mental illness after he splits his kingdom between his two ambitious daughters and disowns the one daughter who loves him.
This production will be one to watch as UA artistic director Harold Dixon will be assuming the title role.
Ticket prices for all shows (except "Into the Woods") are: General Admission $18, Senior Citizens/UA Employees $16 and Student Admission $12. "Into the Woods" ticket prices are: General Admission $21, Senior Citizens/UA Employees $19 and Student Admission/Children $15.
Further ticket information is available from the UA Fine Arts Box Office at 621-1162.
INFOBOX:
"The Good Doctor" by Neil Simon
Directed by Harold Dixon
Aug. 30-31, Sept. 1-2, 8-9 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: Sept. 3, 9-10 at 1:30 p.m.
Marroney Theatre
"Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Brent Gibbs
Previews: Oct. 15 at 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Evenings: Oct. 18-21, 26-28, Nov. 2-4 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 4-5 at 1:30 p.m.
Laboratory Theatre
"Into the Woods" by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Directed by Chris Wilken
Previews: Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m.; Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Evenings: Nov.-11, 16-18, 30, Dec. 1-2 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: Nov. 12, 19, Dec. 2-3 at 1:30 p.m.
Marroney Theatre
"Crimes of the Heart" by Beth Henley
Directed by Marsh Bagwell
Previews: Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Evenings: Feb. 14-17, 22-24, March 1-3 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: Feb. 18, 25, March 3-4 at 1:30 p.m.
Laboratory Theatre
"Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches" by Tony Kushner
Directed by Samantha K. Wyer
Previews: March 4 at 1:30 p.m., March 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Evenings: March 7-10, 22-24, 29-31 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: March 11, 25, 31, April 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Marroney Theatre
"King Lear" by William Shakespeare
Directed by Brent Gibbs
Previews: April 1 at 1:30 p.m., April 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Evenings: April 4-7, 12-14, 19-21 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: April 8, 15, 21-22 at 1:30 p.m.
Laboratory Theater
