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Summer theatre season tickets now on sale
The Summer Repertory season opens Wednesday, June 22, through Saturday, June 25, with A. R. Gurney's "Sylvia," starring Nacogdoches native and SFA alumna Stephanie Cozart in the title role of a dog. "It's an hysterical comedy written especially for anyone who has ever owned a dog, loved a dog, or wanted to wring a dog's neck," said Dr. Clarence W. Bahs, chair of the SFA Department of Theatre and the play's director. Cozart explained that since her character speaks, the audience gets to hear what we've all imagined must go on inside a dog's head, and that's where the humor comes in. The actress warns that the dog's language is crude, however, and not suitable for all ages. The play also has a serious side, according to Cozart, who was named Best Actress by the Denver Drama Critics Circle when she portrayed Sylvia for the Denver Center Theatre Company. "The play is really about the relationship between the dog's owners, Greg and Kate," she said. "Their marriage is in trouble even before Greg brings Sylvia home, but the conflicts that arise over the dog force the couple to look at their marriage and deal with its faults." The four performances of "Sylvia" will be presented on consecutive nights to accommodate Cozart's professional obligations later in the summer. The two other shows will be presented in true repertory fashion during the first two full weeks of July, Bahs explained. Allen Cullen's "Trudi and the Minstrel" will be presented at on Wednesday, July 6, Thursday, July 7, Friday, July 15, and Saturday, July 16. Michael Cristofer's "The Shadow Box" will be presented Friday, July 8, Saturday, July 9, Wednesday, July 13, and Thursday, July 14. "Trudi" is a comedy suitable for the entire family, according to Dr. Alan Nielsen, SFA professor of theatre and the show's director. "Sometimes called a 'Neo-Gothick Extravaganza,' it has a cast of over 20 outrageous characters, including an evil Baroness, a talking head, a dragon, a mermaid and various trolls and gypsies," Nielsen explained. "And since it's written on the order of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' or 'The Princess Bride,' the whole family will enjoy it. "The Shadow Box" is the most serious of the plays being presented this summer, said Allen Oster, SFA professor of theatre and the play's director. Cristofer's Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning production focuses on three terminally ill patients who are spending their remaining days with loved ones. "But it's not a morbid play," Oster explains. "This gripping, funny and compassionate drama delves boldy into the mysteries of dying by laying bare the fears, shortcomings and expectations of living." Due to the subject matter and language, Oster recommends the play for mature audiences only. Oster said he's planned a special bonus for the audience attending the production on Saturday, July 9. "Dr. J. B. Watson, Jr., SFA associate professor of sociology, will moderate a talk-back on death and dying immediately after the performance. All audience members are invited to stay and participate," Oster said. All Summer Repertory performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in W. M. Turner Auditorium. The season is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre. Season tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Single tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.
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