Villanova Theatre Announces New Leadership for 2011-12 Season ON STAGE: Comedy Of Errors, Woman And Scarecrow, Museum & Carousel
VILLANOVA, PA – Villanova Theatre is thrilled to announce that David Cregan, O.S.A., Ph.D. has been named Chair of the Theatre Department of Villanova University. Himself an alumnus of Villanova (BA ’89), Fr. David is an associate professor of Theatre, and also teaches for the English Department. Before entering the Augustinian Order, Cregan spent four years in New York City working as a professional actor. He earned his Ph.D. in Drama Studies from the Samuel Beckett School of Drama at Trinity College in Dublin; his M.A. in Irish Studies from the Catholic University of America; his M.Phil in Irish Theatre and Film from Trinity; and his M.Div. from the Washington Theological Union. According to Cregan, his scholarly and artistic journey began here at Villanova, on the same campus where he currently teaches, directs, and celebrates Mass:
“Twenty-five years ago this fall I was cast in my first role in Vasey Theatre as a less-than-polished sophomore at Villanova. It is hard to believe that life has come full circle and that I am now the Chair of the same department that shaped my understanding of theatre and performance a quarter of a century ago.” According to Associate Artistic Director Michael Hollinger, “David’s energy, clarity of vision, and commitment to excellence both on stage and in the classroom make him an ideal Chair for the coming years, when we anticipate growth and change in many areas.” For Fr. David’s full biography, please see page 3.
Villanova Theatre is equally pleased to announce our 2011-2012 Season, featuring The Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare’s fastest, funniest farce; Woman and Scarecrow, a haunting drama by Ireland’s leading female playwright, Marina Carr; Museum, Tina Howe’s whimsical rumination on the world of modern art; and Carousel, the timeless, tuneful Rodgers & Hammerstein love story.
It's a bird! It’s a plane! No - it's BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL!
Laugh-a-minute "Spoof-ical" takes the stage March 29 - April 17
VILLANOVA, PA - Villanova Theatre concludes its 10/11 Season with the "outrageously silly and totally charming" cult-classic, Bat Boy: The Musical. Ripped from the hilarious headlines of the supermarket tabloid Weekly World News, this off-Broadway Musical of the Year details the discovery of a curious creature - half-human, half-vampire bat - found deep within a West Virginia cave. The Parker family decides to adopt and civilize the well-meaning Bat Boy; but soon, all hell breaks loose as jealousy, betrayal, murder, and other hysterical happenings turn the small town of Hope Fall completely upside down.
Wildly Wicked And Witty, New Beaux' Stratagem Rejuvenates An 18th Century Restoration Classic
Villanova, PA (October 19, 2010)…Villanova Theatre is thrilled to continue its 2010-2011 season with an effervescent new adaptation of George Farquhar's comedy, The Beaux' Stratagem. Adapted initially in 1939 by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Thornton Wilder (Our Town) and completed in 2006 by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor), The Beaux' Stratagem illuminates the stage with its hilarious and astute observations about society and differences between the sexes. Reviewing the adaptation's recent premiere, The Washington Post praised the way it "glides confidently from silly to wry, from the pratfall to the riposte."
Villanova Theatre is delighted to launch its 2010-2011 season with the evocative contemporary drama Three Days of Rain by Richard Greenberg.
The Pulitzer Prize-nominated play gradually illuminates a family's secrets, with an elegance that spurred the New York Times to praise it as "a subtle and absorbing generational drama." Theatre professor Rev. David Cregan, O.S.A. will make his Villanova Theatre mainstage directorial debut, with an award-winning creative team that includes Parris Bradley (set), Charlotte Cloe Fox Wind (costumes), Jerold R. Forsyth (lighting), and John Stovicek (sound).
Villanova Theatre 50th Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday, April 11th, 2010, the Theatre community joined together to celebrate 50 years of exceptional work at Villanova Theatre! After postponing the celebration last season, the Villanova Theatre Department welcomed alumni, current and former faculty and staff, students, and friends to commemorate a half-century of art, scholarship, and community. Held in the President's Lounge, Fr. Peter Donahue, O.S.A, former head of the Theatre department, introduced the event and welcomed all generations, past and present, to the gala, supported by our current Theatre Department chairperson, Fr. Richard Cannuli, O.S.A. Our upcoming season announcement was presented as guests enjoyed an open bar and gourmet hors d'oeuvres, while reconnecting with friends and colleagues. A Silent Auction capped the evening, in which costume sketches, books and plays signed by Villanova Theatre luminaries, even a walk-on role in the 2011 musical, went to the highest bidder. A fantastic time was had by all.
Villanova Theatre Student Wins First Place in Regional Critics' Competition
The Villanova University Theatre Department is proud to announce that second-year M.A. student Mark Costello has won first place in the 2010 Region II Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) O'Neill Critics Institute.
Villanova Business Student Selected for the Inaugural Sue Winge Internship in Marketing
Meghan McKeown, a senior at Villanova University who is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in business administration, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Sue Winge Internship in Marketing. The Internship, which is administered collaboratively by Villanova's Theatre Department and Philadelphia's Arden Theatre Company, was established in memory of Sue Winge, a former employee of both companies, who died in March 2009.
Villanova Theatre Mounts a Masterful Medea
This February, Villanova Theatre presents Euripides' Medea, directed by Villanova Professor Shawn Kairschner, who directed Villanova's wildly popular Metamorphoses last season. The aesthetic of the production evokes elements of the late-1950s and early-1960s, with costumes by Marla Jurglanis, set by Lisi Stossel, and lighting by Jerold R. Forsyth. Medea will be on stage February 2-14, 2010.
Villanova University to Host Fourth Annual Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Villanova University's Theatre Department will highlight the work of area scholars during its fourth annual Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium. This year's conference theme is "The Limits of Performance." Scheduled events include four working scholars' panels, a new scholars' panel and a keynote address by renowned theatre artist and scholar Richard Schechner. All events are free and open to the public.
The Sue Winge Internship in Marketing
Meghan McKeown, a senior at Villanova University who is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in business administration, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Sue Winge Internship in Marketing. The Internship, which is administered collaboratively by Villanova's Theatre Department and Philadelphia's Arden Theatre Company, was established in memory of Sue Winge, a former employee of both companies, who died in March 2009.
Villanova Theatre to Launch 2009-10 Season of "Greats" With Edward Albee's The Zoo Story
Villanova Theatre will open its 51st season with the play that launched playwright Edward Albee's career half a century ago. The Zoo Story, directed by Professor Joanna Rotté, features a cast of two graduate students: Chris Serpentine as Jerry and Will Windsor Erwin as Peter. Parris Bradley's realistic set lovingly evokes Central Park in the late 1950s, complete with dirt terrain, live foliage, and arching trees.
Villanova University to Host Third Annual Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium
On Friday, January 16, 2009, Villanova University's Theatre Department will highlight the work of area scholars during its third annual Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium. Scheduled events include a new scholars panel and a keynote address by Wilma Theater Artistic Director Blanka Zizka. All events are free and open to the public.
Villanova Theatre to Launch 50th Anniversary Season With Long Day's Journey into Night
Villanova Theatre will open its 50th Anniversary season with a masterpiece of American theatre, Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night. Lifetime Achievement Barrymore honoree Robert Hedley will direct. The production features Joanna Rotté, last seen at Villanova Theatre in the title role of Mother Courage, as Mary Tyrone; and Dan Kern, who is frequently seen on stage in the Philadelphia area and across the nation, as James Tyrone.
Villanova University to Host Second Annual Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium
On Friday, January 25, 2008, Villanova University's Theatre Department will highlight the work of area scholars during its second annual Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium. Scheduled events include a new scholars panel, a keynote address by Philadelphia Inquirer theatre critic Toby Zinman, and a roundtable discussion with Zinman and area critics Mark Cofta (Philadelphia City Paper), David Cregan (Main Line Times), and Nancy Furey (Talkin' Broadway). All events are free and open to the public.
Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium
Call for Papers
This symposium offers the opportunity to present work in progress and to share ideas with other researchers. We are seeking papers which engage a broad range of topics in theatre and drama studies including, performance analysis, gender, politics, and cultural theory.
Villanova Theatre Presents Mother Courage and Her Children
Villanova Theatre will entertain and challenge audiences with Bertolt Brecht's epic drama. The production is directed by Assistant Professor Shawn Kairschner and features Professor Joanna Rotté in the title role. Mother Courage, written in the midst of World War II and set in the 1600s during the Thirty Years' War, offers a highly theatrical examination of the relationship between commerce and conflict.
Villanova Theatre Presents Beyond Therapy
Christopher Durang's Hilarious Comedy Launches the 2007-2008 Season
Villanova Theatre will kick off its 2007-2008 theatre season with Beyond Therapy, a hilariously off-kilter comedy by Christopher ng. The production marks theatre professor Dina Amin's Villanova Theatre directorial debut. Beyond Therapy runs October 2 –14 in Vasey Hall on the Villanova University campus.
Villanova Theatre Announces 2007-2008 Season
49th Season includes Beyond Therapy, Mother Courage, Baby, and The Illusion.
Villanova Theatre is proud to announce an exciting, diverse 2007-2008 Season. Now in its 49th year, the Theatre will present a riotous contemporary comedy, a powerful modern drama, a touching, exuberant musical, and an artfully imagined French classic. The season continues Villanova's rich tradition of presenting stirring plays for both the University community and theatre lovers throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.
Villanova Theatre Presents: Someone Who'll Watch Over Me
Villanova Theatre presents Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, by noted Irish playwright Frank McGuinness, as the culmination of Villanova University's "Springtime in Ireland" Irish Festival. Directed by theatre professor Rev. David Cregan, O.S.A., Someone Who'll Watch Over Me runs Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 at 8pm; and Sunday, April 29 at 2pm in Vasey Hall on the Villanova University campus.
Hollinger Garners National New Play Award
Villanova University Theatre Professor Awarded Prestigious Citation for His Drama, Opus
Michael Hollinger, Philadelphia-based playwright and assistant professor of theatre at Villanova University, has been awarded a Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Citation for his play Opus.
