Performances for 2018-2019

UCI Drama – 2018/19 Season “Against All Odds”

History provides countless examples of individuals, communities, and nations facing desperate, unjust, and even seemingly impossible circumstances; yet somehow, time and again, they find the will and the means to overcome. These are the stories that make great theatre, and indeed, that keep us personally inspired and hopeful in difficult times. As citizens of this particular sociopolitical moment, when we are bombarded from every outlet to the brink of despondent apathy, we invite you to join us in living journeys of those who were faced with substantial adversity, but survived – and thrived – against all odds.

Daniel Gary Busby, Drama Chair/Producing Artistic Director

Mad Madge: A CounterBalance Theater Premiere


October 26, 2018 - October 28, 2018

A CounterBalance Theater Premiere MAD MADGE AND HER BLAZING WORLD Adapted and Directed by Annie Loui Based on the novel by Danielle Dutton Margaret the First   October 26 - 28, 2018 Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)   “I am as ambitious as ever any of my sex was, is, or can be:  though I cannot be Henry the 5th or Charles the 2nd, I endeavor to be Margaret the 1st.” A devised theater production about the first female science fiction writer and infamous Restoration celebrity, Margaret Cavendish --  known for her scientific theories and fantasies, and her scandalous fashion statements. 8 transforming actors play 100’s of characters and all the palaces, animals and fantasy characters in a devised theater performance about the 1650’s... more

Legally Blonde


November 10, 2018 - November 18, 2018

Legally Blonde Music & Lyrics by Nell Bejnamin and Laurence O'Keefe; Book by Heather Hach Directed by Myrona DeLaney Musically Directed by Benet Braun, graduate music director Choreographed by Andrew Palermo   November 10 - 18, 2018 Irvine Barclay Theatre Everyone underestimates Elle Woods (herself included), but when she heads to Harvard to win back her boyfriend, she finds much more in store for her future. Tackling stereotypes, harassment, and scandal, Elle learns that through realizing her promise – while staying true to herself – she can effect positive change… and still look fabulous doing it! This event contains fog / haze effects. Performances: Evenings: Nov. 10, 15, 16, 17 at 8:00 p.m. Evening: Nov.14 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees: Nov. 11*, 17,... more

Cirque du Soleil KÀ Symposium


November 16, 2018 - November 16, 2018

Cirque du Soliel KÀ Symposium November 16, 2018 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Winifred Smith Hall (& various) Claire Trevor School of the Arts Cirque du Soleil is coming to the University of California, Irvine (UCI)! In partnership with Cirque du Soleil and The Cirque Collaborative, UC Irvine will host the Cirque du Soleil KÀ Symposium at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA) on Friday, November 16, 2018. This free one-day event will provide exciting educational and career development opportunities with the world leader of live entertainment. Open to everyone, this symposium will include panel discussions, workshops, and lectures covering topics such as: Cirque Management, Stage Management, Dance, Musical Theatre, Technical Direction, Rigging,... more

The Importance of Being Earnest


December 1, 2018 - December 9, 2018

The Importance of Being Earnest Written by Oscar Wilde Directed by Shishir Kurup   December 1 - 9, 2018 The Little Theatre This Victorian farce is much more than a comedy of crossed wires and mistaken identity. As a closeted gay man in Victorian England, author Oscar Wilde deftly infuses deception into the plot of Earnest as a mirror of the deception he was forced to live. In retrospect, the work is both a comic masterpiece and a brilliant encoding of “the love that dare not speak its name.” Performances: Evenings: Dec. 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 p.m. Evening: Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees: Dec. 2*, 8, 9 at  2:00 p.m. CTSA Main Box Office open noon to 4pm next 12/5 - 12/7; opens directly at Little Theatre starting 1 hr. before performances through 12... more

The Survival Project


January 25, 2019 - January 27, 2019

The Survival Project Written and Directed by Mihai Măniuțiu January 25 - 27, 2019 Robert Cohen Theatre This original work by Mihai Măniuțiu was inspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for African American motorists, published annually between 1936 and 1966. Măniuțiu has used this historical work as inspiration for an original dance-theatre performance piece that explores exclusion and provides a survival guide for those who, given the odds stacked against them, “should not survive.” The Survival Project is as much about the narratives of survivors as it is about love, connectedness and mental health. Through physical and vocal expression, it seeks to critically analyze the human condition by showcasing seemingly disparate narratives from around the world... more

Love’s Labour’s Lost


February 19, 2019 - February 25, 2019

Love’s Labour’s Lost  Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Andrew Borba February 19 - 25, 2019 Claire Trevor Theater In pursuit of fame, the youthful King of Navarre and his faithful friends have sworn to study, fast, and to see no women for three years - but this is before they realize the Princess of France and her entourage are arriving on a diplomatic visit. One of Shakespeare’s most playful and delightful comedies, Love’s Labour’s Lost explores the lightness, labors and limits of learning, loving and growing up. Performances: Evenings: Feb. 19, 21, 22, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee: Feb. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Free admission with reservation Presented by UCI Iluminations and the UCI Shakespeare Center This production is running in... more

HOLD STEADY


February 20, 2019 - February 26, 2019

HOLD STEADY Written by Tira Palmquist Directed by Eli Simon February 20 - 26, 2019 Claire Trevor Theater It's the weekend of a high school ten-year reunion, and a group of friends gathers. But it's hard to feel like there's much to celebrate when they're saddled with debt, concerned about their current choices, worried about their future. Seeing their friends reminds them who they thought they'd be, and how far they have to go to get there. Performances: Evenings: Feb. 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 at 7:30 p.m. Free admission with reservation Presented by UCI Iluminations This production is running in repertory with LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST directed by Andrew Borba

Parliament Square


March 9, 2019 - March 17, 2019

Parliament Square Written by James Fritz Directed by Jane Page March 9 - 17, 2019 Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL) In a world where information saturates to the point of desensitization, news stories are increasingly horrific, and the “truth” is a constantly moving target, how can one individual hope to make a difference? This hard-hitting and poignant play asks whether political protest can ever effect change and unflinchingly asks: what are we willing to sacrifice for our beliefs?   Performances: Evenings: Mar. 9, 14*, 15*, 16 at 8:00 p.m. Evening: Mar. 13* at 7:30 p.m. Matinees: Mar. 10**, 16, 17 at  2:00 p.m. Tickets: General $18 Seniors, Groups 10+, UCI Faculty & Staff $15 Art Subscribers $14 UCI Students & Children under 17... more

Celebrate UCI 2019


April 20, 2019 - April 20, 2019

Visit the campus event page for more details and to register. Celebrate UCI 2019 Saturday, April 20, 2019 8:30 AM to 2 PM Arts Campus & Aldrich Park Join us for Celebrate UCI, our annual spring open house for newly admitted students! Experience our vibrant student life Meet with academic units Connect with other Anteaters Enjoy a student-run outdoor festival filled with food, fun, and games Take a tour of the campus and the residence halls Celebrate UCI is a time where we come together as a community to open our doors and celebrate the arrival of our newest class of Anteaters! Bring your family and come enjoy the fun that can only be found at UCI! Parking is free. Arts Events Entire event: Arts Information Booth Open, Aldrich Park (near... more

The Refugee Hotel


April 27, 2019 - May 5, 2019

The Refugee Hotel Written by Carmen Aguirre Directed by Juliette Carrillo   April 27 – May 5, 2019 Robert Cohen Theatre This dark comedy, set in a modest Vancouver hotel, is about Chilean refugees who struggle with the various tragicomic effects of fleeing their homeland. Laid bare in the fictionalized autobiographical details of the play are universal truths that victims and survivors of political oppression continue to experience everywhere – and about love’s power to heal. Conatins haze/fog/smoke & a gunshot sound effect Performances: Evenings: Apr. 27, May 2, 3, 4 at 8:00 p.m. Evening: May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees: Apr. 28*, May 4, 5 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets: General $18 Seniors, Groups 10+, UCI Faculty & Staff $15 Art Subscribers $14 UCI Students... more

The Pajama Game


June 1, 2019 - June 8, 2019

The Pajama Game Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler & Jerry Ross Book by George Abbott & Richard Bissell Musically Directed by Lex Leigh, graduate music director Choreographed by Allison Eversoll, graduate choreographer Directed by Don Hill   June 1 – 8, 2019 Claire Trevor Theatre With its combination of classic score, engaging personal story, and meaningful political issues, this four-time Tony Award-winning musical is as resonant today as it was at its premiere nearly 65 years ago. At the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory handsome Sid Sorokin and feisty Union rep “Babe” Williams fall hard for each other, but when the pair finds themselves on opposite sides of a labor dispute, sparks really start to fly! Performances: Evenings: Jun. 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 p.... more

Musical Theatre - 2019 Summer Camp


July 8, 2019 - August 2, 2019

  Musical Theatre   Session 1: July 8-July 12 Session 2: July 29-August 2 Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm Ages 14-19   Act, sing, dance!  Advance your triple threat skills learning from one of the top college musical theatre programs in the nation. Modeled after our top-ranking UCI Drama Department Musical Theatre program, student will participate in a one-week intensive focused on acting, singing, and dancing.  In addition, workshops and master classes in other related areas will be offered to prepare students for the collegiate and professional world.  Some sessions may be split based on students' levels, but all students will work together towards a final piece.  The Academy will end with a... more