Miami announces 2011-2012 season

The Miami University department of theatre season for 2011-2012 offers an array of masterpieces, including American and Canadian classics and award winning plays.

The season, themed “Masterpiece Theatre,” opens with “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams, Oct. 5–8, with a matinee performance on Oct. 9, in Gates-Abegglen Theatre. Directed by Lewis Magruder, assistant professor of theatre, the play, which won a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, is considered one of the seminal plays of the American theatre.

“Better Living,” by Canadian playwright George F. Walker, will be performed on the SecondStage Oct. 26-29, matinees Oct. 29-30, in Studio 88 Theatre. Directed by Lexi Jamieson March, graduate student in theatre, the show portrays a blue collar family living in the East End of Toronto, whose home renovations, séances, and attempts to piece together their fragmented family unit are all turned upside down when their long estranged, survivalist father returns home.

Shakespeare’s classic comedy, “As You Like It,” directed by Howard Blanning, assistant professor of theatre, will run Nov. 16-19, matinee Nov. 20, in Gates-Abegglen Theatre. The show is a comedy consisting of usurping, cross-dressing, the wilderness, love, and the rules of life.

“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” by Ntozake Shange, will be performed on the SecondStage Feb. 22-25, matinees Feb. 25-26, in Studio 88. The play, directed by John Frazier, graduate student in theatre, was recently made into a popular film. Winner of the 1977 Tony Award for best play, the story is a series of poems performed by seven women that explore rape, love, abortion, abandonment, violence, life, and the strength and empowerment of women.

“Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder, who received the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work, will run April 5-8 and April 12-14, matinee April 8, at Gates-Abegglen Theatre. Directed by Ann Elizabeth Armstrong, associate professor of theatre, the show follows the everyday life of a town in the early twentieth century and the situations they are forced to deal with that lead to the true meaning of life.

All evening performances begin at 8 p.m.; matinees begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $9 adults, $8 seniors, and $6 students.

For additional information about fall theatre shows, go to the department of theatre's website, or contact the Miami Box Office at 513-529-3200.