The Zoo Story

September 22 – October 4, 2009  
Written by Edward Albee
Directed by Joanna Rotté

An everyday park bench encounter turns into a date with destiny in this gripping drama that introduced playwright Edward Albee to the world.  When Jerry, a “downtown” bohemian seeker comes upon Peter, an “uptown” publishing executive, in Central Park, the two find themselves inextricably linked, as Jerry penetrates Peter’s complacency and each man’s life is forever altered.

JERRY: “Sometimes a person has to go a very long distance out of his way to come back a short distance correctly…”   More Information...

As You Like It

November 10 – 22, 2009
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Harriet Power

Banished from her devious uncle’s court, and newly infatuated with the dashing Orlando, Rosalind disguises herself as a boy and flees to the Forest of Arden in search of her father, the rightful Duke.  There she runs smack into the object of her affections, spars with clowns, and counsels the lovelorn, making As You Like It one of Shakespeare’s most glorious comedies.

CELIA: “O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful, and yet again wonderful, and after that out of all hooping!”  More Information...

Medea

February 2 – 14, 2010
By Euripides
Directed by Shawn Kairschner

A scorching tale of passion, love, and vengeance.  When her husband is granted permission to marry another woman, Medea is banished from her home and sent away from her young children.  Unhinged by grief, she lays plans for swift and terrible retribution, leaving catastrophe in her wake.  A towering figure in Greek tragedy, Medea remains an enthralling character centuries after her creation.

MEDEA: "Let no one think me a weak one, feeble-spirited, A stay at home, but rather just the opposite, One who can hurt my enemies and help my friends; For the lives of such persons are most remembered."  More Information...

Annie Get Your Gun

March 23 – 28 &
April 6 – 18, 2010
Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by Herbert & Dorothy Fields
Directed by Valerie Joyce

Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley comes to life in brash, bold colors in this golden-age American musical.  A plucky backwoods gal, Annie’s astonishing shooting skills earn her a spot in Buffalo Bill’s traveling show, and spark a competition with the show’s handsome hotshot, Frank Butler.  The two soon fall for each other, but when Annie’s act outshines her beau’s, she discovers that what’s good for business can be bad for romance. Packed with sure-fire Irving Berlin hits, Annie Get Your Gun is a testament to female ingenuity and plain, old-fashioned fun.

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Special Event: All Victorious Ocean

November 21 at 2pm
Joanna Rotté, Writer & Performer
Susanna Lack, Producing Director

All-Victorious Ocean: The Noble Life of Yeshe Tsogyal, Tantric Yogini is a new theatre work depicting momentous events in the extraordinary life of Yeshe Tsoygal, the first Tibetan person to attain spiritual liberation.

The 75-minute play will receive an encore presentation in conjunction with the opening of "Looking East," an exhibit of photographs by world-renowned photographer Steve McCurry.  A reception for both events will commence at 3:30 at the Villanova Art Gallery.

Joanna Rotté, PhD, Professor of Theatre and Resident Actor at Villanova University, wrote the play, based on three translations of an 18th century Tibetan literary-biography entitled (in translation) The Secret Life and Songs of the Tibetan Lady Yeshe Tsogyal. The biography is considered a masterpiece.Ms. Rotté performs the role of Yeshe Tsogyal.  Please RSVP for the Nov. 21 performance of All Victorious Ocean.

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