Youngstown State University Department of Theatre, Dance announces 2017-18 schedule

Staff report

Youngstown

The Youngstown State University Department of Theatre and Dance has announced its upcoming 2017-18 season, which includes an array of shows including a musical, a world premiere, a comedy, the 27th annual Dance Ensemble concert and an opera for its 54th season.

“We are thrilled to present this year’s season of theatre that pushes the envelope in content and creativity, and highlights the talents of our students, staff and faculty who have worked hard to achieve success at their craft,” said Matthew Mazuroski, Chairman of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The season includes:

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone – A Comedy”: Sept. 29, 30; Oct. 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 1, 8 at 2 p.m. at Spotlight Theater in Bliss Hall.

A wildly imaginative new comedy by MacArthur “Genius” Grant, recipient and Pulitzer Prize finalist and Sarah Ruhl, author of “The Clean House” and “Eurydice.” The comedy looks at how we memorialize the dead – and how that remembering changes us – it is the odyssey of a woman forced to confront her own assumptions about morality, redemption and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world.

“Spring Awakening – A Rock Musical”: Nov. 10, 11, 17; Nov. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. at Ford Theater in Bliss Hall.

Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion.

“Mr. Wheeler’s”: A world-premiere play about Youngstown by Rob Zellers running Feb. 16, 17, 23, 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 18, 25 at 2 p.m. at Spotlight Theater in Bliss Hall.

Life is a challenge when you work at a fast-food restaurant in a run-down neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio. But don’t underestimate the resilience of this scruffy band of young people who work the breakfast shift at Mr. Wheeler’s.

The YSU Dance Ensemble – A Dance Concert: April 5, 6 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Ford Theater in Bliss Hall.

The 27th annual dance concert, featuring the YSU Dance Ensemble and directed by Christine Cobb.

“Cendrillon – An Opera”: April 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m. at Ford Theater in Bliss Hall.

Call 330-941-3105 or go to www.ysu.tix.com

This four-act “fairy tale” opera is a collaboration with French librettist Henri Cain, whose libretto is based on Perrault’s 1698 version of the story of Cinderella.

Parking is available in the M30 Wick Avenue parking deck for a nominal fee.

More information is available by calling 330-941-2307. A

complete calendar of events is available at ysu.edu/events.