University Players 64th Season

2022-2023

 

Dead Man’s Cell Phone

by Sarah Ruhl

directed by Philip Geller

October 21-30, 2022

 

Fed up with the ringing cell phone on a table in front of a man nearby, Jean decides to answer it, unaware that the man has died right next to her at the café. This tiny action thrusts her into the life of Gordon Gottlieb, inextricably linking her to his mother, brother, wife and mistress. In a world saturated with technology and communication, Dead Man’s Cell Phone considers the value of real connection and the need we all have to unravel our complicated lives.

 

“Let’s start loving each other right now, Dwight – not a mediocre love, but the strongest love in the world, absolutely required.” - Jean

 

Recommended Audience: Ages 14+. Some coarse language.

Presented in Essex Hall Theatre

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CAST

Abbey Gagnon  as  Mrs Gottlieb
Caitlin Miller  as  Jean
Colin Crawford  as  Gordon
Jeremiah McEachrane  as  Dwight
Lauren Jenkins  as  Hermia
Sierra Farnham  as  The Other Woman/Stranger

 

Tinker Bell

Adapted by Patrick Flynn, Based on the works of J. M. Barrie

directed by Lee Wilson

November 25-December 4, 2022

 

The classic story of Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Wendy in Never Land, told from the famous fairy’s perspective. Discover Tinker Bell’s origin story and the reason why Never Land became such a magical place. Add puppets, pirates, and of course, one enormous hungry crocodile in this recipe for magical and delightful family fun!

 

“Do you believe in fairies? You should. I believe in you.” – Tinker Bell

 

Recommended Audience: ALL AGES

Presented in Essex Hall Theatre

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CAST

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Aidan Robertson    as    John/Ensemble
Annie Roberts    as     Peter
Georgie Savoie    as    Tinker Bell
Jackson Balint    as    Michael/Ensemble
Justin Mendler     as     Captain James Hook
Kaden Hill     as     Smee
Katherine Docherty    as    Wendy

Ensemble

Dominika Dudzik
Larissa Wells
Lilly Batista
Mara Rumley
Natasha Fishman

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365 Days/365 Plays

by Suzan-Lori Parks

directed by Jane Luk

February 3 - 12, 2023

 

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) offers this anthology of plays, written as a personal project over a one year-period in 2002. Each day, the playwright would write a short play, sometimes only a few lines long, sometimes with no words at all. The result is a deep dive into the human condition, at turns hilarious, touching and gut-wrenching. University Players students will take a selection of the 365 works and perform them in a montage of scenes that tell a story of Action, Inaction and Remembering Who You Are.

 

“I am That, you are That, all this is That, and That’s all there is.” - Someone

 

Recommended Audience: Ages 14+

Presented in Essex Hall Theatre

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CAST

Alexa Dimoulas 

Avery Thomas

Jack Meadows

Jeremiah McEachrane

Justin Mendler  

Katherine Docherty

Makayla Ashenden

Ruby Romero

Sierra Farnham

Tobi Usman

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Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare

directed by Yanna Mcintosh

March 24 – April 2, 2023

 

This beloved romantic comedy is a classic Shakespearean combination of shipwreck, mistaken identity, unrequited love, and fools who speak the truth. Twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria, and separated in the storm. Viola soon falls in love with Duke Orsino, who is in love with the Countess, Olivia. When Orsino sends a love letter to Olivia via Viola (disguised as Cesario), Olivia falls in love with Cesario. Sebastian, believing his sister to be dead, arrives and falls for Olivia himself! Amidst all the confusion, true love emerges, all is revealed, and the love triangles are resolved.

 

“If music be the food of love, play on!” – Duke Orsino

 

Recommended Audience: Ages 10+

Presented in Essex Hall Theatre

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CAST

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Abbey Gagnon  as  Malvolio
Annie Roberts  as   Viola/Cesario
Caitlin Miller  as  Valentine/Priest
Colin Crawford  as  Fabian
Gaia Martin Del Fresno  as  Curio/Various
Georgie Savoie  as  Feste
Jeremiah McEachrane  as  Sir Andrew
Justin Mendler   as   Antonio
Kaden Hill   as   Sebastian
Katherine Docherty  as  Sir Toby
Lauren Jenkins  as  Maria
Makayla Ashenden  as  Olivia
Ruby Romero  as  Sea Captain
Tobi Usman  as  Orsino

Ensemble

Aidan Robertson
Chloe Brescia 
Jackson Balint
Julia Radenovic
Shayne Simpson