2009 Season

The Monomoy Theatre

The Ohio University Players in Residence Since 1958

Text Box: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF June 22-July 3 Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein Directed by MichaelJohn McGann Fiddler on the Roof will also have a Monday evening performance and two Thursday matinees, June 24 & July 1 and two Sat. matinees June 26 & July 3 The rousing musical based on the stories of Shalom Aleichem. It’s the life-affirming tale of Tevye, the poor milkman who tries to keep his family traditions alive as he marries off 3 of his 5 daughters, while facing the oppression of turn of the 20th century Czarist Russia. “Fiddler” is a universal story of love and acceptance and features many familiar songs, including, “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” The opening show of the 53rd season will be directed by Monomoy favorite, MichaelJohn McGann. It will feature Artistic Director, Alan Rust as Tevye and the ever popular Nora Chester as Golde. “If you were a rich man, you couldn’t buy a better show.” - The New York Times THE DINING ROOM July 6-July 10 A. R. Gurney Directed by Rich Cole In the long running Off-Broadway tour de force, a mosaic of 17 funny, touching and rueful scenes, each introducing a new group of characters and events are all set in the dining room of an upscale home. The room that was once the vital center of family life. The unconnected scenes, with actors playing multiple roles span many generations throughout the 20th century. Bittersweet stories of stern parents, servants, senile adults, 5-year olds at a birthday party, teenagers sneaking alcohol, and professionals conducting business in a room fraught with memories all coalesce to create a theatrical experience filled with compassion, humor and humanity. THE LION IN WINTER July 13-July 17 James Goldman Directed by Malcolm Morrison Political maneuvering, war and peace, dysfunctional family, aging, death, inheritance, and posterity are all explored in James Goldman’s wickedly elaborate chess game of a play. Set in the castle of King Henry II of England on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 1183. Sparks fly in as members of the royal family plot, scheme, conspire, weave thick webs of deceit and hatch insidious plots. The pure joy comes from seeing all of them try to outmaneuver each other. Will their actions translate into civil war, treason, and perhaps even murder among the members of a royal family? Malcolm Morrison returns to the Monomoy to direct this tale of ruthless intrigue in the royal court. He will be joined by his wife, Johanna, a veteran of many Monomoy seasons, who will play Eleanor of Aquitaine. Long time actor and director Terry Layman is also coming back to play King Henry II. BLITHE SPIRIT July 20-July 24 Noel Coward Directed by Michael Montel Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit in six days during the London Blitz of 1941, just weeks after German bombs had destroyed his office and attached apartment. Coward said he wanted to give his fellow Londoners something light and fun. Indeed he did. Delightful and surprising, Coward had a grand time making mischief with marriage and mediums. Charles Condomine, a novelist whose second marriage is jeopardized by his first when an innocent little séance goes comically awry, bringing back the ghost of the saucy original Mrs. Condomine, much to the irritation and exasperation of her more sensible replacement. The play includes one of Coward’s greatest characters, the daffy, bicycle-riding medium named Madame Arcati. Nora Chester who delighted Monomoy audiences with her portrayal of this role years ago will be back to summon the spirits again this season. British director and actor, Richard Mangan is back to direct this delicious soufflé of a play. ONCE UPON A MATTRESS July 29-August 7 Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller Directed by Alan Rust Once Upon a Mattress is Thurs-Sat, July 29-31, Mon-Sat, Aug 2-7 @ 8 pm and Thurs, Aug 5 @ 2pm. In this hilarious tweaking of the fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea,” Queen Aggravain has ruled that no one in the Kingdom may marry until her son, Prince Dauntless marries. However, she has managed to sabotage every princess that comes along. When Sir Harry and Lady Larken learn that they are going to be parents, wed or not, he goes off to the swamps and brings back Princess Winnifred (“Fred” to her friends). The queen is horrified and immediately begins to scheme, but Winnifred, with some help from Sir Harry, the King, and the Jester, isn’t going to be quite so easy to get rid of. Artistic Director, Alan Rust will direct this delightful musical fable and actor Bill Kux who Monomoy audiences will remember from Noises Off, The Matchmaker, and last season’s Is He Dead,? will don the royal robes as Queen Aggravain. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING August 10 - August 14 William Shakespeare Directed by Dennis Delaney One of Shakespeare’s wittiest comedies. The play revolves around two pairs of lovers. The love-hate relationship of Beatrice and Benedick and their long running the “merry war” of the sexes, and the many obstacles that confront the young lovers Claudio and Hero on their road to happiness. Dennis Delaney, the head of Ohio University’s Professional Directing Program will direct this timeless tale of love, deceit, redemption and renewal. THE CHERRY ORCHARD August 17-August 21 Anton Chekhov Directed by MichaelJohn McGann Chekhov’s final play is the story of an aristocratic family in the process of losing their beloved cherry orchard. At times deeply funny and other times profoundly moving. Follow this naive group as they ignore every opportunity to spare their land, and their way of life, confident that everything will work itself out in the end. MichaelJohn McGann will also direct this Chekov classic. He will be joined by Tony Award nominated and Obie winning actress Laura Esterman as Madame Ranevsky. THREE MEN ON A HORSE August 24-August 28 George Abbott and John Cecil Holm Directed by Terry Layman One of the funniest plays of the ‘30s, mild-mannered greeting card writer, Erwin Trowbridge, discovers he has an almost supernatural ability to go through a racing form and pick the winners. So, a trio of professional gamblers kidnap him and get him to give them tips on the horses. Complications arise when Erwin begins to miss his wife and job and his cronies insist he put some money on a horse himself, despite his claim he will lose his power if he places a bet. Terry Layman returns to direct this classic American comedy. Fiddler on the Roof will also have a Monday evening performance and two Thursday matinees, June 24 & July 1 and Sat. matinees (June 26 & July 3). Once Upon a Mattress is Thurs-Sat, July 29-31, Mon-Sat, Aug 2-7 @ 8 pm and Thurs, Aug 5 @ 2pm. Orders accepted by mail May 1, on-line in June, Box Office opens June 14 10am till 5pm until June 21 - Season Hours below.

2010 Monomoy Season

Text Box: Box Office Opens June 14, 2009 508 945-1589 Monday 10:00a.m.—5:00 p.m. Tuesday—Saturday 10:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m.

2010 Season Tickets $180.00 Plus $2.00 Credit Card Handling

2010 Season Matinee Tickets $120.00 Plus $2.00 Credit Card Handling

Evenings, Tuesday-Saturday at 8 pm Matinees at 2pmThursday matinees at 2 pm

http://www.pagegangster.com/p/dSovm/