MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007 | BACK TO SCHOOL | WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY HANSEN 5 14
》THEATRE
Murphy Hall reaches 50 years
Theatrical shows celebrate milestone with performances
BY SAM CARLSON
scarlson@kansan.com
A conman, Rumpelstiltskin, and men dressed in evening gowns and swimsuits will be there.
Murphy Hall, the Music and Dramatic Arts Building at the University and home to University Theatre, is throwing a party. This academic year marks the 50th anniversary of the building. To celebrate the milestone, University Theatre is hosting various events along with regular performances throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Kicking off the fall semester is "Pageant-The Musical," a parody of beauty pageants that places men in stiletto heels and makeup to portray female pageant contestants.
"Pagent" was so popular when it was performed in the summer that University Theatre decided to bring it back for four encore performances that will take place Aug. 30-Sept.2.
Charla Jenkins, director of public relations for University Theatre, said the demand for summer tickets to "Pageant" was overwhelming.
"We didn't have any idea wed have people fighting over tickets," she said.
The Music Man, a musical that first appeared on Broadway in 1957—the same year Murphy Hall was dedicated—tells the story of a conman who falls in love with a librarian in a small Iowa town.
"That's sort of what we're pinpointing as the anniversary production," said Jenkins.
The Music Man will be performed in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre, located in Murphy Hall. Nov. 9-11 and 15-17.
Other celebratory activities include Alums Come Home, an event hosted by the Department of Theatre and Film that draws theatre and film alums. Alums Come Home will take place April 24-27, 2008.
In the spring semester, the theatre will stage "Rumpelstiltskin" and Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night."
From contemporary plays to the classics, University Theatre serves as an alternative entertainment option for students, Jenkins said.
"We're the only educational theatre in town. It's very important for our students to have audiences to perform for," she said.
For a schedule of the shows or to purchase tickets, visit www. kuthetre.com
KANSAN FILE PHOTOS
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
The University Theatre will perform many productions this year, beginning August 30 with Pageant-The Musical. Later this year, the Theatre will perform The Music Man, which first appeared on Broadway in 1957, the year that Murphy Hall was dedicated.