Production a perfect choice to open new theater
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 2:00 AM
News
Pittsburg, KS
Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice,” the first theater production in Pittsburg State University’s Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, is the perfect choice to christen the new space, according to Cynthia Allan, chair of PSU’s Department of Communication and the play’s director.
“Sarah Ruhl is the freshest and most sought after voice in American playwriting right now,” Allan said. “This is her take on a classic Greek myth, told in a contemporary fashion. And to me, that is the defining characteristic of a university theater program – taking old tales and telling them with fresh new voices.”
It’s not something that most patrons will have seen, she said.
“I don’t think the university should ever be doing things that are available at the community theater and the high school theater,” Allan said.
Even the music will be a new experience, because the score consists of all original music composed by Megan McCoy for the production.
Allan said she has enjoyed directing the cast, composed of both students and faculty.
“They’re (the cast) incredible,” Allan said. “I love having the other theater faculty members in the cast. It was something we did intentionally so they could all be part of the first project in here. It’s wonderful and it’s great for the students to get to work with them as well.”
She added that a number of the students have been hired to work in the Bicknell Center.
“(They have) such a sense of ownership and pride in the space and what they’re doing,” Allan said.
The cast of “Eurydice” features Lindsey Lockhart as Eurydice; Gil Cooper as her father; Alexander Warstler as Orpheus; and Logan Qualls as a nasty interesting man/lord of the underworld. The chorus of stones include Taylor Patterson-Elliot as the Big Stone, Megan Westhoff as the Little Stone, and Megan Reed as the Loud Stone. The production staff features set designer Lin Little, costume designer Lisa Quinteros and composer Megan McCoy. A trio of musicians will perform live on stage during the production and McCoy has written all original music for the show.
“Eurydice” runs Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26-28 at 8 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday Feb. 28-March 1 at 2 p.m. in the Dotty and Bill Miller Theater in the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer St., Pittsburg, Kan. Tickets are $11 for the general public, $6 for persons under 17 or over 65. PSU students, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid PSU I.D. To purchase tickets, call the PSU Ticket Office at 620-235-4796 or visit the office at 1701 S. Homer in the Weede Physical Education Building. Tickets may also be purchased at the door starting approximately 30 minutes before each performance.