University Players 64th Season

2022-2023

Dead Man’s Cell Phone

by Sarah Ruhl

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

Tinker Bell

by Patrick Flynn

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

365 Plays/365 Days

by Suzan-Lori Parks

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

Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare

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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