Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts announced its 2020-21 Theatre + Dance academic season. Exact schedules of performances will be released in August.
NOISES OFF
By Michael Frayn
Directed by Ken Jones
Sept. 24 – Oct. 4
NKU Corbett Theatre
Called “the funniest farce ever written,” NOISES OFF takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called “Nothing’s On.” Doors slamming, falling trousers, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play. NOISES OFF is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.
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ZANNA, DON’T!
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Tim Acito
Additional Book and Lyrics by Alexander Dinelaris
Directed by Michael Hatton
Music Directed by Damon Stevens
Oct. 22 – Nov. 1
NKU Stauss Theatre
Welcome to Heartsville High, set in a world where everyone is gay–well, almost everyone! The big-man-on-campus is the chess champion, and the captain of the football team is made cool by being cast as the lead in the school musical. The students write a controversial show called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” about straight people in the military, which becomes the catalyst for a young man and woman to fall in love. Enter Zanna, a magical, musical fairy who, with a wave of his wand, brings true love to one and all! A world much like our own, and the chaos that ensues when people love who they want to, gay or straight.
Jason Danieley
FLOYD COLLINS
Book by Tina Landau
Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel
Additional Lyrics by Tina Landau
Directed by Jason Danieley
Assistant Directed by Corrie Danieley
Music Directed by Jamey Strawn
Nov. 13-22
NKU Corbett Theatre
In 1925, while chasing a dream of fame and fortune by turning a Kentucky cave into a tourist attraction, Floyd Collins himself became the attraction when he got trapped 200 feet underground. Alone but for sporadic contact with the outside world, Floyd fought for his sanity and ultimately his life as the rescue effort above exploded into the first genuine media circus. Reporters and gawkers from across the country descended on the property, fueling the hysteria and manipulating the nation into holding its collective breath. This haunting musical – one of the most acclaimed in recent years – beautifully illuminates the transcendent tale of spirituality, hope and one man’s quest for glory. FLOYD COLLINS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
Broadway actor, singer, concert performer and recording artist JASON DANIELEY is director of FLOYD COLLINS. Danieley appeared Off-Broadway in the musical Hit The Lights! in 1993, but gained recognition in 1996 in Floyd Collins. Ben Brantley of The New York Times noted that Danieley (with others) was “especially winning”. Most recently he appeared in the stage musical adaption of the film Pretty Woman which premiered at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago in March 2018 and transferred to Broadway. jasondanieley.com
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick
Directed by Corrie Danieley
Music Directed by Jamey Strawn
Feb. 19-28, 2021
NKU Corbett Theatre
Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss – Franklin Hart. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie.
THE Y.E.S. FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS – 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Titles to be announced in October.
Shows Directed by Mike King, Nicole Perrone, Charlie Roetting, and Brian Robertson
April 8-18, 2021
NKU Corbett and Stauss Theatres & The Carnegie
Be the first to see four world-premiere plays in the 20TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR END SERIES (YES) FESTIVAL, including a first-of-its-kind regional collaboration. The Carnegie and NKU School of the Arts will work together to produce a new play by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s Producing Artistic Director, D. Lynn Meyers. This bold pairing of educational and creative goals will allow the students of NKU’s School of the Arts Theatre + Dance Program to work intimately with Meyers to workshop and refine the new playscript through the 20-21 school year. The Carnegie will then debut this world premier script as the closing show in its 20-21 theatre season and kick-off the 20th anniversary of the YES Festival, NKU’s new-play festival, the oldest collegiate new-play festival in the country.
For more information, call the NKU School of the Arts Box Office at (859) 572-5464 or visit nku.edu/sotatickets. Tickets will go on sale in September.
