09/12/19
HAYS, Kan. – A season of comedy is planned for the 2019-20 season of theatre at Fort Hays State University, beginning Oct. 3 with “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a parody of 1920s-style musicals starring Man in Chair.

The season progresses through Ken Ludwig’s “Comedy of Tenors,” and Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” as adapted by Kate Hamill for a cynical and modern but funny sensibility by Kate Hamill.

The season-ending opera, scheduled for April, has not yet been selected.

“It has been our privilege to delight and entertain people through the magic of live theatre,” said Tomme Williams, director of FHSU Theatre.

“We come to the theatre to unite as artists and audiences in performances that create unique and inspiring experiences, taking us out of our everyday lives and into the realm of imagination,” she said. “This season is about exactly that: coming together – whether in celebration, hope, faith, love, perseverance, or risk, the stories of this season are of people reaching out and trying to overcome divides between each other.”

All productions are in the Felten-Start Theatre in Malloy Hall on the FHSU campus.

The Drowsy Chaperone

Oct. 3, 4, 5, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. curtain

Sunday, Oct. 6, matinee at 2:30 p.m.

Winner of five Tony Awards, “The Drowsy Chaperone” is a loving valentine to musical comedy, hosted by the narrator and theatre aficionado Man in Chair, who invites the audience to listen to his favorite LP record of a fictitious 1928 musical, which comes magically to life around him.

The musical is full of the song and dance and the plot twists that were features of 1920s musicals.

A Comedy of Tenors

Nov. 14, 15, 16, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. curtain

Sunday, Nov. 17, matinee at 2:30 p.m.

Comic genius Ken Ludwig wrote this sequel to his 1989 Tony Award winning comedy “Lend Me a Tenor.” The setting is 1930s Paris with one hotel suite, four tenors, two wives, three girlfriends, and a stadium full of screaming fans. The stage is set for the concert of the century – as long as producer Henry Saunders can keep Italian superstar Tito and his hot-blooded wife, Maria, from causing runaway chaos.

This ride is full of mistaken identities, bedroom hijinks and farcical delight.

Pride and Prejudice, adapted by Kate Hamill

March 5, 6, 7, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. curtain

Sunday, March 8, matinee, at 2:30 p.m.

This bold, surprising and boisterous retelling of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” puts a modern outlook in Georgian dress. This “Pride and Prejudice” for a new era explores the absurdities and thrills of finding your perfect (or imperfect) match in life. One of literature’s greatest tales of latent love has never been so theatrical and full of life.

Opera

April 17, Friday, 7:30 p.m. curtain

Sunday, April 19, matinee at 2:30 p.m.

Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, director of opera at Fort Hays State, has presented works spanning from Mozart to Bernstein.

Season ticket prices are $25 for students, up to age 18 or an FHSU student with ID; $30 for senior citizens, age 60 and up; and $50 for the public.

Individual tickets $10 for students or senior citizens and $15 for the public. For a complete listing, visit the website at www.fhsu.edu/music-and-theatre/arts-calendar. For more information, call 785-628-4533.

“Our goal is to bring the best theatre experience we can, so we ask everyone to please grab a friend and join us,” said Williams. “A spectacular season awaits and everyone is invited.”