Season Schedule
by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Robert Schneider
June 12–22
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
Sometimes the only thing more frightening than your future is your past.
In South Boston, this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills, bingo is a night on the town, and sharp-tongued single-mom Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Scrambling to make ends meet, she looks up an old flame, hoping he’ll help her make a fresh start. In this humor-filled drama from Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, we see how twists of fate determine our path.
Previews at 7:30 p.m.: June 12 and 13
Opening night doors open at 6:30 p.m.: June 14
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: June 17, 18, 19, 20
Evenings at 8:00 p.m.: June 14, 15, 21, 22
Matinees at 2 p.m.: June 19, 22
Preview/Matinee: $20
Evenings: $30
Opening Night Reception/Show: $60 (Includes pre-show hors d’ouevres, show, and post-show desserts) Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:00 p.m.
Doubt: A Parable
by John Patrick Shanley
directed by Jim Wise
July 24~August 3
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
There is no evidence. There are no witnesses. But for one, there is no doubt.
Did he or didn’t he? Where’s the proof? A seed of doubt is sown. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, Doubt is a mesmerizing, suspense-filled drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And who better to take us on that journey than critically acclaimed actor Jane Ridley, as she performs in her last production before she retires from the School of Theatre.
Previews at 7:30 p.m.: July 24 and 25
Opening night doors open at 6:30 p.m.: July 26
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: July 29, 30, 31, Aug. 1
Evenings at 8:00 p.m.: July 26, 27, 2, 3
Matinees at 2 p.m.: July 31, Aug. 3
Evenings: $30 Opening Night: $60
Preview/Matinee: $20
Opening Night Reception/Show: $60 (Includes pre-show hors d’ouevres, show, and post-show desserts) Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:00 p.m.
by Charles Gordone
directed by Charles Dumas
October 1–10
Pavilion Theatre
Think you got a corner on soul?
In the middle of the Civil Rights era, on the heels of the Black Power movement, a black bartender matches wits with a white mobster in this Pulitizer Prize-winning play.
Previews at 7:30 p.m.: October 1 and 3
Opening Night at 7:30 p.m.: October 4
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: October 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Matinees at 2 p.m.: October 5
Evenings: $18 Preview/Matinee: $16
Penn State Student: $12 (with valid PSU ID)
music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
directed by Meghan C. Hakes
November 5–20
Playhouse Theatre
All the HOT GAMBLERS are in town!
Packed with one unforgettable song after another—not to mention loads of romance and charm to spare. With beloved tunes such as “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “The Oldest Established,” there is plenty of toe-tapping to be had.
Previews at 7:30 p.m.: November 5 and 7
Opening Night at 7:30 p.m.: Friday, November 8
Preshow Dinner (Nittany Lion Inn) 5:30 p.m.: Friday, November 8
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: November 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20
Matinees at 2 p.m.: November 9
Evenings: $25
Preview/Matinee: $18
Penn State Student: $12 (with valid PSU ID)
Opening Night Nittany Lion Inn Dinner, November 8: $40 (DOES NOT INCLUDE SHOW TICKET) (Cash bar at 5:00 p.m.; dinner at 5:30 p.m., in the Faculty Staff Club at the Nittany Lion Inn)
music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine
directed by Kasey Graham
February 18–March 1
Pavilion Theatre
What happens after HAPPILY EVER AFTER, after all?
In Sondheim and Lapine’s beloved musical retelling of the Grimm classics, a parade of familiar folktale figures find their way “Into the Woods” and try to get home before dark.
Previews at 7:30 p.m.: February 18 and 20
Opening Night at 7:30 p.m.: Friday, February 21
Preshow Dinner (Nittany Lion Inn) 5:30 p.m.: Friday, February 21
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: February 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, March 1
Matinees at 2 p.m.: February 22, March 1
Evenings: $25
Preview/Matinee: $18
Penn State Student: $12 (with valid PSU ID) Opening Night Nittany Lion Inn Dinner, Feb. 21: $40 (DOES NOT INCLUDE SHOW TICKET) (Cash bar at 5:00 p.m.; dinner at 5:30 p.m., in the Faculty Staff Club at the Nittany Lion Inn)
by Dominique Morisseau
directed by Steve Broadnax
March 25–April 5
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
Inspired by the Jena Six and the “white tree.”
A new drama inspired by the conviction of six black teenagers for beating a white student after a noose was hung at their high school in Jena, Louisiana. This bold new play examines the miscarriage of justice and racial double standards in the Deep South.
BLOOD AT THE ROOT is a new drama inspired by the conviction of six black teenagers for beating a white student after a noose was hung at their high school in Jena, Louisiana. This bold new play examines the miscarriage of justice and racial double standards in the Deep South.
BLOOD AT THE ROOT by Dominique Morisseau is a new drama inspired by the Jena Six. The Jena Six were six black teenagers convicted in the beating of a white student at Jena High School in Jena, Louisiana. The six black students were charged with attempted murder for a schoolyard fight after nooses were hung from a large tree in the center of the school courtyard. The tree was referred to by students as the "white tree,” so when a black student requested to sit under the tree, nooses were hung the following day. The conviction of the Jena Six was cited as an example of racial injustice in the United States, due to a belief that the defendants had been charged with too-serious offenses and had been treated unfairly. This bold new play examines the miscarriage of justice, racial double standards, and the crisis in relations between men and women of all classes and, as a result, the shattering state of black family life.
Previews at 7:30 p.m.: March 25 and 27
Opening Night at 7:30 p.m.: March 28
Evenings at 7:30 p.m.: March 29, 31, April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Matinees at 2 p.m.: March 29, April 5
Evenings: $18 Preview/Matinee: $16
Penn State Student: $12 (with valid PSU ID)
