BROOKINGS For its 54th year, Prairie Repertory Theatre brings to the boards a quadruple mix that includes a high school-style musical; the Bards tale of star-struck young lovers from feuding families; a British comedy with mistaken identities and political scandal; and seven brothers looking for wives.
First of the four productions is Grease, which is likely to be familiar to a lot of people because of the popularity of the 1978 movie that starred John Travolta as Danny Zuko, a leather-jacket-wearing greaser, and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson, a Sandra Dee-like exchange student. And then theres Eve Arden (Our Miss Brooks) as Rydell High School Principal McGee.
Most of the main film characters are in the stage musical, although a few are gone, renamed or replaced with a similar character; e.g. McGee is gone, replaced by Ms. Lynch, school disciplinarian and old-maid English teacher.
If youve seen the movie, come and enjoy the musical; if you havent seen the movie, come and enjoy the musical. Director is Casey Paradies, instructor of theatre and English. Performances run from June 11-13 at 7 p.m. and June 14 at 2 p.m. at the Oscar Larson Theatre.
Production No. 2 brings a step back in time and a different venue: Romeo and Juliet is for certain one of William Shakespeares most recognized plays; and this production outside on SDSUs Sylvan Green marks the first time PRT has joined up with the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival. While attendees will be in a sort of groundlings-like setting, they wont have to stand for the entire performance bring chairs, bring blankets. However, the cost of admission is more than a penny. Mike Lee, SDSF, is director. Performances are June 18-20 at 7 p.m. and June 21 at 2 p.m.
Production No. 3 brings some humor and high-jinks from across the pond: Out of Order, by Ray Cooney, in what PRT bills as a British comedy full of mishaps, mistaken identities, and political scandal. This farce delivers fast-paced fun when a politicians night of mischief spirals into comic chaos, thanks to an unexpected body, a bewildered assistant, and way too many people with way too many secrets. Directing is W. James Wood, SDSU artistic director of Theatre and Dance. Performances are June 25-27 at 7 p.m. and June 28 at 2 p.m. in the Oscar Larson Theatre.
Production No. 4 brings a musical, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, that like Grease, many older folks in the audience may be familiar with, having seen the movie. It premiered in 1954 and in 1955 won five academy awards, including best picture. The PRT bills its production as a feel-good musical (that) presents whimsical romance, rambunctious brothers and stunning choreography. When backwoodsman Adam sets out to find a wife, his brothers follow suit. Their efforts to find love lead to chaos, courtship and irresistible dance numbers. Sounds just like the movie. Billy Wilburn, PRT artistic director and SDSU associate professor of theatre, directs. Performances are July 9-11 and 16-18 at 7 p.m. and July 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. in the Oscar Larson Theatre.
Many called, few chosen
As to the annual slate of PRT productions, Wilburn explained: Each year the faculty and staff at SDSU theatre, we start about a year out and we start figuring out the shows that we think would do well and that our audience wants to see. We kind of balance that with the plays.
He added that he and the other people in the theatre department are involved with PRT every summer, whether its designing, decorating or other roles sometimes acting that support the productions. In addition to the work of in-house staff and SDSU students in acting roles, Wilburn explained that PRT also brings in professional designers and directors from all over the United States and our region.
And where do the actors come from: The program starts with SDSU students and we look at that first, the director explained. About 50 percent of the company is SDSU students that are from our program. The other, about 50 percent, come from all over the United States.
We do online auditions and we also do auditions at two conferences and interviews for our technical students. We make offers to students all over the United States, Wilburn explained. This year we auditioned about 600 students. Out of that, we have a cast of 47 that are in our company; that includes the performers and the technicians that help make it all happen. Those who make the cut are registered as SDSU students, housed on campus, paid a stipend and receive credit for summer theatre.
One common denominator applicable to PRT is youth. Theatre-goers attending the opener might consider that. Those high school kids in Grease (the movie) dont look a lot like high school kids: Most of the students in our program range from freshmen in college to seniors in college (and) are like from 19 to 22, the director noted. That along with our costume designers who do a good job of making them look young.
For inquiries about showtimes or ticket prices, visit the website prairierep.org, call the Box Office at 605-688-6045 or stop by the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on the SDSU campus. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday 1-4 p.m. and Saturdays 1 hours before performances.
Contact John Kubal at [email protected]. Prairie Repertory Theatre contributed to this report.
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