Tag Archives: Xavier University Theatre

Cast Announced for SOMETHING ROTTEN at Xavier University Theatre

XUT_logoThe cast includes:

  • Emma Hunt as Bea
  • Maria Zierolf as Portia
  • Matthew Callas as Nick
  • Anthony Contreras as Nigel
  • Anthony Frederickson as Brother Jeremiah
  • Joe Mitchell as Nostradamus
  • Ryan Whitford as Shakespeare
  • Lizzy Sundstrom as Lord Clapham
  • Richie Pokrywka as Shylock
  • James Ciccarelle as Minstrel
  • Ensemble: Mattie Cieplak, Tate Clemons, Kate Crisp, Mia D’Ascenzo, Bridget Dean, Sienna Glaze, Kora Hammersmith, Alexa Kreuzer, Mary McMurray, Alexis Pinto, Tierra London Rush, Anna Snyder, Anna Verderber, Carter Bechtol, Owen Clark, Leo Jenkins, Sean Moss & Steven Stanton

Directed by Stephen Skiles, performances run Oct. 14-22.

For more information visit https://www.xavier.edu/theatre-program/season-lineup/index.

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2022-23 Season Announced by Xavier University Theatre

XUT_logoRabbit Hole
By David Lindsay-Abaire
September 16-18, 2022
Gallagher Student Center Theatre
Directed by Patrick Phillips

Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, RABBIT HOLE examines the couple’s bittersweet search for comfort in an empty house full of tragic reminders.

“David Lindsay-Abaire has crafted a drama that’s not just a departure but a revelation—an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion and searing honesty.”  – Variety.


Something Rotten
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
October 14-22, 2022
Gallagher Student Center Theatre
Directed by Stephen Skiles

Welcome to the Renaissance, where brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play while being stuck in the shadow of that playwrighting rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

“The funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.” – Time Out New York 


Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
November 18-20, 2022
Gallagher Student Center Theatre
Directed by Aaron Rossini

Our Town depicts the small town of Grover’s Corners as it follows the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die. A heartbreaking and heartwarming reminder to never take the moments of life – no matter how large or small – for granted, Thornton Wilder’s theatrical masterpiece remains one of the most well-known and beloved plays of the American stage.

“OUR TOWN is a microcosm. It is also a hauntingly beautiful play.” – New York Times


Lizzie
Music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt
Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner
Book by Tim Maner
Additional February 10-18, 2023
Gallagher Student Center Theatre
Directed by Stephen Skiles

In 1892, Lizzie Borden was tried and acquitted for the bloody axe murders of her father and stepmother in a small Massachusetts town. 130 years later, four women will tell this gothic story of American mythology set to a blistering and unapologetic punk rock score. LIZZIE is Rage! Power! Betrayal! And BLOODY MURDER!

“Unapologetic, raw, powerful, and disturbing in the best possible way. … This all-female quartet tells the story of the famous serial killer, Lizzie Borden, through a punk rock infused score with a twist of humor…” – OnStage Blog 

9 to 5 The Musical
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick
Based on the Twentieth Century Fox film
March 24-26, 2023
Gallagher Student Center Theatre
Directed by Bethany Kerr 

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying hypocrite they call their boss. While he remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, and with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 is an outrageous, thought-provoking and hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the age of the Rolodex!

“It will leave you with a smile.” – The Guardian


Measure for Measure
By William Shakespeare
April 14-23, 2023
Gallagher Student Center Studio Theatre
Directed by Isabell Trapp

Finding himself in charge of a city ruled by corruption, the Duke cedes control to Angelo, who quickly enforces dated codes of chastity and moral conduct. But when a young nun pleads for her brother’s condemned life, Angelo ensnares her into an impossible situation. MEASURE FOR MEASURE is a stunning story of power, deception, virtue and hypocrisy that examines the double standards in our political, ethical and religious systems.

“…a play that examines the vicious abuses of power that people commit when they think nobody’s watching…” – The New York Times


Gruesome Playground Injuries
By Rajiv Joseph
April 14-23, 2023
Gallagher Student Center Studio Theatre
Directed by Tessa D’Errico

Kayleen and Doug meet for the first time at eight years old in the nurse’s office of their elementary school. Over the course of 30 years, we follow their lives as they intersect through multiple injuries, leading the two childhood friends to compare scars and the physical calamities that keep drawing them together. Gruesome Playground Injuries is an unconventional love story about opening up and allowing someone else to see our own personal scars.

“Mystical, arresting, and quirkily amusing.” – The Washington Post

For more information visit https://www.xavier.edu/theatre-program/season-lineup/index

 

 

 

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RABBIT HOLE Runs Sept. 16-18

XU_Rabbit Hole logoRABBIT HOLE
Xavier University Theatre
Sept. 16-18
Gallagher Student Center Theatre [Evanston]

Directed by Patrick Phillips
Produced by Stephen Skiles

Cast: Erin Bonham as Becca, Andrew Normington as Howie, Regan Utrup as Regan, Anna Kahle as Nat & Parker Culp as Jason

Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, RABBIT HOLE examines the couple’s bittersweet search for comfort in an empty house full of tragic reminders. Adult situations, content and language.

  • Fri, Sept. 16 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Sept. 17 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Sept. 18 at 2pm

Official page |

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MACBETH Runs April 26-29

XU_Macbeth logoMACBETH
Xavier University Theatre
April 26-29
Gallagher Student Center Onstage Theatre [Evanston]

When a stunning and sudden prophecy begins to come true, an aspiring couple begins to develop a lust for dominion, ultimately leading to betrayal and murder. One of the greatest of Shakespeare’s plays, Macbeth is a psychological and tragic story of the fall from grace when power and fortune begin to outweigh our humanity.

  • Tue-Fri, April 26-29 at 7:30pm

Official page |

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Xavier University Theatre Presents Musical ONCE, March 25-27

XU_Once promo

Matthew Callas as Guy & Kennedy Florence as Girl.

(CINCINNATI, March 10, 2022) – Xavier University Theatre continues the 2021-22 season with its production of the Broadway hit musical ONCE. With music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová and book by Enda Walsh, the musical is based on the award-winning motion picture written and directed by John Carney. The show runs March 25 through 27 in Xavier’s Gallagher Student Center Theatre.

On the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolve into a powerful but complicated love story. Underscored by emotionally charged music and featuring all the magical songs from the critically acclaimed film, this beautiful and captivating show draws audiences in from the very first note. Once is the only show with music to win an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award.

Assistant Director Jo Dearman believes the music — which is performed entirely by the cast — will provide a moving experience for audiences. “In Once, the music conveys feelings we don’t get to hear the characters say,” she said. “I love feeling the humanity of the story through the music and its instruments.”

The intimacy of the set design — which seats audience members onstage with the performers — adds to that experience, according to junior Emma Hunt, who plays Reza. “This show tells such an intimate story about love and music that experiencing it in a close setting is almost necessary,” she said. “It helps the audience connect more closely with the characters.”

The cast for ONCE includes first-year students Matthew Callas (Guy), EJ Cooper (Eamon), Emma Halloran (Baruska) and Richie Pokrywka (Da); sophomores Casey Johnson (Emcee) and Joe Mitchell (Bank Manager); juniors Kennedy Florence (Girl), Emma Hunt (Reza), Dylan Waters (Svec) and Chancellor Waye (Andrej); senior Kertu Bell (Ex-Girlfriend); and community members Anna Chamberlain (Ivonka) and Andrew Leonard (Billy).

The show is directed by Stephen Skiles (who also acts as producer), with senior Jo Dearman, sophomore Tessa D’Errico and junior David Ludwig serving as assistant directors. Xan Jeffery provides vocal direction. Ben Chamberlain is the music director with junior Olivia Wakefield the assistant music director. Senior Peyton Wright provides choreography. The design team includes Joe Leonard (set designer/technical director), Jessica Pitcairn (costume designer), Joe Beumer (lighting designer), Kevin Semancik (sound designer) and junior Anna Snyder (assistant costume designer). The production manager is Emi Suarez. The stage manager is senior Josie Daley, and the assistant stage managers are first-year student Mattie Cieplak and sophomore Renee Maloney.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on March 25 and 26, as well as at 2 p.m. on March 26 and 27. Tickets are available now. They are $15 each for adults and $10 each for Xavier students, faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit www.showtix4u.com/events/xaviertheatre or call 513-745-3939.

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