LEXINGTON, Ky.―Costumes, actors and sets are multiplied by three this fall as Transylvania University’s theater program ambitiously mounts its first repertory theater season, packing nine performances into 11 days.
“Repertory implies the same cast in all the shows,” explains Sullivan Canaday White, assistant professor of theater and the theater program director. “However, we are rotating all the student actors and the directors for each show. That means we can have first-year students in major roles and no overlap among the actors and technicians.
“There is one exception: Sophomore theater major Olivia Luken will stage manage two shows.”
A total of 30 students will present three plays that range from drama to comedy. All performances will be in Transylvania’s Lucille C. Little Theater.
Kevin Kling’s “Lloyd’s Prayer” opens the trilogy of productions. Directed by White, the comedy is a parable about Bob the raccoon boy and what happens to him when he is “rescued” from his raccoon family. Kling, a playwright and storyteller known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” will visit Transylvania in February to deliver a one-man performance.
Sheila Callahan’s “Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake)” confronts themes of loss, aging and adolescent hardship. Directed by senior classics and history major Tori Lantrip, the hilarious although disturbing production finds young Janice and her mother in a dilapidated apartment without much hope—except for visitations from their celebrity crushes, Justin Timberlake and Harrison Ford. Meanwhile, the apartment is developing its own murderous plans.
David Saar’s “The Yellow Boat” is based on the true story of David and Sonja Saar’s son, Benjamin, who was born with congenital hemophilia and died in 1987 at the age of 8 of AIDS-related complications. The touching story celebrates the courage and creativity of a child facing life and death. “The Yellow Boat” is directed by Transylvania senior theater major Tony DelGrosso.
According to White, “Each play will have a distinct set design and related costuming. For example, ‘Yellow Boat’ is very colorful and imaginative. And ‘Lloyd’s Prayer’ features raccoons and a fantastically giant fish costume.”
To encourage audiences to enjoy all three shows, tickets are discounted when bought together. In addition, everyone who attends a play’s opening night will receive a lapel button designed by the theater program. The goal is to collect all three buttons.
Repertory Schedule
Nov. 14, 22, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 17, 2 p.m.―“Lloyd’s Prayer”
Nov. 15, 20, 23, 7:30 p.m.―“Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake)”
Nov. 16, 21, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 24, 2 p.m.―“The Yellow Boat”
Tickets for students are $2 each or $5 for all three shows. General admission is $5 each or $10 for all three shows. Tickets can be reserved by calling the box office at 859-281-3621 from 1-4 p.m. The box office, located in the Lucille C. Little Theater, is also open 30 minutes prior to performances. For more information, contact Transylvania’s fine arts office at 859-233-8141.