Ole Miss Theatre recently unveiled its 2015-2016 season. The season features four different shows Teddy Ferrara, Hair, Anton in Show Business, and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Opening the season is the thought-provoking Teddy Ferrara. It’s Gabe’s senior year of college and his future looks bright: he runs the Queer Students Group, he finally has a single room and he recently started dating a great guy. But when a campus tragedy occurs that makes national headlines it ignites a firestorm and throws Gabe’s world into disorder. When new evidence surfaces, Gabe discovers that the events surrounding the tragedy aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and he is forced to question popular assumptions—and his own life’s contradictions.
The second show of the season is the Vietnam-era musical classic, Hair. Set in an East Village park in 1967, Hair is the musical story of a group of hippies who celebrate peace and love in the shadow of the Vietnam War. The loose plotline centers on Berger, the charismatic leader of the “tribe,” and Claude, a sweet-natured guy from Queens who’s about to be drafted. But the real star of Hair is the rocking score, which includes such classic hits as “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Aquarius,” and “Good Morning Starshine.” The performances are November 13-15 in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
Kicking off 2016 is the third-production of the season, Anton in Show Business. This madcap comedy follows three actresses across the footlights, down the rabbit hole, and into a strangely familiar Wonderland that looks a lot like American theatre – the resemblance is uncanny! As these women pursue their dream of performing Chekhov in Texas, they’re whisked through a maelstrom of “good ideas” that offer unique solutions to the three sisters’ need to have life’s deeper purpose revealed. In the tradition of great backstage comedies, Anton in Show Business conveys the joys, pains, and absurdities of “putting on a play” at the turn of the century.
The final production of the season is Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production will coincide with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death and Shakespeare’s first folio coming to the University of Mississippi.
Midsummer portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who’s transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites, and elves. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder – it’s about the world’s most popular pastime, falling in love.
In addition, Ole Miss Theatre will continue its “Patron Appreciation Night,” which will be the first Friday of each production. Only patrons, season ticket holders, and Friends of Ole Miss Theatre will be able to purchase tickets for these performances providing the perfect environment for those who enjoy the magic of the theatre.
This season, expect the unexpected and experience Ole Miss Theatre. Individual Tickets are $13.50 for adults, $10 for Ole Miss students, and $9 for Seniors/Children. For ticket information, please contact the UM Box Office, (662) 915-7411 or visit: http://theatre.olemiss.edu.