THE LARAMIE PROJECT

Written by Moises Kaufman and the Members of the Tectonic Theater Project
Directed by Don Hill

evening performances: Oct 30 - 31 & Nov 4 - 7, 8pm
matinee performances: Oct 31 & Nov 7, 2 pm

Claire Trevor Theatre

A powerful look at the aftermath of the 1998 kidnapping, savage beating, and murder of gay University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard, The Laramie Project instantly captured the attention of audiences and critics alike. Acclaimed by Time magazine as "One of the ten best plays of the year" when it premiered in 2000. The Associated Press called it "Astonishing," the New York Post found it "An amazing piece of theater," and The Village Voice noted that "Few playwrights have cut to the heart of tragedy so unerringly."

Now, ten years later, UCIrvine helps our nation envision where we're going by looking at where we've been. Come see what the San Francisco Chronicle called "A bracing, wholly original, and deeply affecting piece of theatre. It radiates integrity, an aching collective need to understand incomprehensible events. It portrays an American town with grace, truth, theatrical economy, compassion, wit, despair and love. It proves that theatre can serve as witness to our deeds. It's we who must answer one by one, for what we create and what we destroy together."

THE THREEPENNY OPERA

Book and Lyrics by Bertolt Brecht
Music by Kurt Weill
Directed by Keith Fowler
Musical Director: Dennis Castellano
Choreographer: Stephen DiSchiavi

evening performances: Nov 13 - 14 & Nov 19 - 21, 8pm
matinee performances: Nov 15, 2 pm

Claire Trevor Theatre

According to Newsweek's Jack Kroll, Bert Brecht's The Threepenny Opera (1928) is simply "the greatest musical of all time." Composer Kurt Weill's street-smart score, ranging from lyrical arias and tangos to stirring anthems and bawdy ballads (and the extraordinary "Mack the Knife"!) sets fingers snapping and pulses pounding. This is UCIrvine's third revival of this Tony Award-winning show, a clear testament to its local esteem. Threepenny is the jazz masterpiece of Weimar Kultur, the trailblazing grand-daddy of modern musicals, and the forerunner of the delectable decadence of Cabaret, Chicago, Sweeny Todd, and countless brash and brassy spinoffs.

Set in late Victorian London and based on John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, this subversive saga of Soho tells the tale of the bandit and lady killer, Capt. MacHeath, who elopes with Polly, the only daughter of J.J. Peachum. Peachum, a businessman who organizes the City's beggars, wants his son-in-law arrested-despite the fact that MacHeath's protector is the corrupt Police Commissioner, "Tiger" Brown. When Peachum threatens to disrupt Queen Victoria's procession by loosing hordes of beggars into the streets, MacHeath is finally captured-and must face the dreaded gallows.

ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS

Written by George F. Walker
Directed by Rob Salas

evening performances: Nov 19 - 21, 8pm
matinee performances: Nov 21 & 22, 2 pm

Little Theatre

You think your family is wild? Wait until you meet this one! George F. Walker's Escape from Happiness revolves around a single family in their kitchen, and the journey's unique "black comedy" blend of humor and drama speaks to every one of us as it examines the complicated bonds that make us family.

Can we come to forgiveness-both within ourselves and with others? How do we fight for what's right in a dire situation, even while dealing with the basic struggles of getting by-or while we're fighting for a way to make "getting by" easier for the community at large? Walker's thick glaze of humor makes tackling the questions of an unresolved past surprising and fun as a mother and her daughters face unexpected discoveries at every turn!

Never before seen at UCIrvine, Walker's absurd, hilarious, and dark comedy will truly warm your heart-even as it supplies its dynamic characters with full ammunition to produce violence, tears, laughter, and everything in between. Escape from Happiness will get your blood pumping!