Xavier University Theatre Presents Three Shows in Rep Feb. 17-28

(CINCINNATI, Jan. 25, 2016) – Xavier University Theatre continues its 2015-16 season with three shows in repertory: BEGOTTEN, by senior theatre major Tatum Hunter; BETRAYAL, by Harold Pinter; and MISS JULIE, by August Strindberg. Performances will take place in Xavier’s Gallagher Student Center Theater from Feb. 17-28.

Kalie Kaimann as Marianne and Elizabeth Rancourt as Eve in BEGOTTEN.

After losing everything in an apartment fire, Marianne and Aaron are forced to get serious about their lives and their relationship. However, their decision to reach out to Aaron’s wealthy parents for help only makes things more complicated as painful memories resurface and threaten their future. While Marianne and Aaron’s mother, Eve, fight to keep him close, both women struggle to reconcile what they want with what they’ve lost. BEGOTTEN is a sharp examination of how motherhood shapes the lives of two women and asks what it really means to lose a child. Xavier Theatre will present the world premiere of this play by current senior theatre major Tatum Hunter. BEGOTTEN is directed by Bridget Leak. Performances of BEGOTTEN are Friday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 27, at 2:00 p.m.

Maya Farhat as Emma, Mac Blais as Jerry and Eric Minion as Robert in BETRAYAL.

For seven years, Emma and Jerry engage in a passionate love affair, deceiving their spouses, each other and, at times, even themselves. Emma’s husband, Robert, has known about the affair for years without ever saying a word. Was this his betrayal, or his revenge? As memory reels backward toward the moment the affair started, the lies tangle into a web of deception, and betrayal begets betrayal. Written by Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter, one of the 20th century’s most influential dramatists, and winner of the Oliver Award, BETRAYAL innovatively explores the complexities of love, guilt and duplicity. BETRAYAL is directed by Bruce Cromer. Performances of BETRAYAL are Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Griff Bludworth as Jean and Alex Roberts as Julie in MISS JULIE.

On Midsummer’s Eve, Miss Julie, a young noblewoman, enters into an illicit affair with her father’s valet, Jean. Worldly and cultured, Jean by turns spurns and encourages Miss Julie’s flirtation, eventually initiating a relationship of disastrous consequences. Written in 1888, Strindberg’s MISS JULIE is a masterful exploration of sex, class and power that asks who in the battle of the sexes is really the servant and who the master. MISS JULIE is directed by Regina Pugh. Performances of MISS JULIE are Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 20, at 2:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m.

“This is an exciting experiment for us at Xavier Theatre,” says Xavier’s Director of Theatre Stephen Skiles. “Working on small, intimate shows gives our students a unique and intense opportunity to work on their craft, both on and off the stage. We’ve essentially formed three theatre companies, under the direction of some of the best professional directors in our region. This project exemplifies the professional collaborations that Xavier Theatre strives to provide students.

“I’m especially thrilled to be producing another world premiere in senior theatre major Tatum Hunter’s BEGOTTEN. She told me about two years ago that she wanted to write a play, so I told her that if she did, we would produce it. It’s a great piece of theatre. I’m so proud of her and this production.”

The cast for BEGOTTEN includes Sean Burlingame as Aaron, Kyle Daniels as Adam, Kalie Kaimann as Marianne, Justin Lee as Man and Elizabeth Rancourt as Eve. The show is stage managed by Hannah Sheppard.

The cast for BETRAYAL includes Mac Blais as Jerry, Maya Farhat as Emma, Eric Minion as Robert and Micah Price as The Waiter. The show is stage managed by Kelly Markle.

The cast of MISS JULIE includes Griff Bludworth as Jean, Sara Ringenbach as Kristin and Alex Roberts as Julie. Members of the ensemble include Donald Burns, Henry Eden, Taylor Maas, Sam Martini, Trever McKenzie, Katie Mitchell, Jenny Roberts, Michael Thompson and Nora Weisz. The show is stage managed by Tori Kiraly.

The creative team for the three shows includes costume designers Cassie Delicath, Rachael Petranek and Nora Weisz; sound designer August Dice; set designers Donald Burns, Kyle Daniels and Tori Kiraly; lighting designer Joe Leonard; prop designers Aaron Krick and Annie Mayer; and projection designers Veronica Graeber and Lydia Reagan.

Tickets for BEGOTTEN, BETRAYAL and MISS JULIE are available now through the Xavier University Theatre Box Office. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for students, as well as Xavier faculty and staff. Three-show passes are available for $30. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.xavier.edu/theatretickets or call 513-745-3939.