University News
WIU Summer Music Theatre Sales Begin June 2
May 14, 2008
MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University's Summer Music Theatre (SMT) ticket sales begin Monday, June 2 online and through the Hainline Theatre Box Office.
The summer lineup includes:
"Children of Eden," June 20-21 and June 26-28;
"Me and My Girl," July 5-6 and July 10-12; and
"The Rocky Horror Show," July 18-19 and July 24-26.
All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Hainline Theatre, except for the 2 p.m. July 6 matinee performance of "Me and My Girl" and the July 19 "Rocky Horror Show," which starts at midnight.
Season tickets are $55 for three shows and $35 for two shows. Individual show tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and older and for children age 12 and younger and $7 for WIU students admitted to Western before Summer 2006. Students admitted to WIU in Summer 2006 or later have paid an arts fee and will get in free of charge. For tickets, contact the box office at 309/298-2900 from noon-5 p.m. weekdays or order online at http://wiuartstickets.com.
The season begins with "Children of Eden," by Stephen Schwartz, who also created "Godspell," "Pippin" and "Wicked." The musical, based on the Book of Genesis, tells the stories of Adam and Eve and Noah and the Flood, using storytelling techniques and a beautiful musical score. As one of the most frequently produced musicals, "Children of Eden" explores the relationships of parents and children, faith and perseverance. It has been described as, "A deeply humanistic work … [that] appeals to both religious and agnostic audiences."
"Me and My Girl," the second SMT production, is a delightful British musical that was revived in London in 1984 and transferred to Broadway in a Tony Award-winning production in 1986. In the musical, the late Viscount Hareford had a youthful, unfortunate marriage -- and kept discretely out of sight was a son and heir. The Hareford Hall set are despondent when the family solicitor finds the legitimate heir is Bill Snibson, a young Cockney fellow from Lambeth. There is a Cockney invasion of Hareford Hall - - Bill, his girlfriend and his mates - - and the Lambeth Walk is danced by all.
Because SMT is committed to presenting musicals for all tastes, the closing show of the 2008 season is the campy hit musical of the 1970s, "The Rocky Horror Show." As critics describe it, "Rocky Horror" is "A socko wacko weirdo rock concert" (WNBC TV, NY). "Complete with participation props, this deliberately kitschy rock 'n' roll sci-fi gothic is more fun than ever," said publisher Samuel French. The show contains sexual situations and strong language and is not suggested for children.
For more information on the shows, call Western's Department of Theatre and Dance at 309/298-1543, or visit www.wiu.edu/summermusictheatre.
Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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