March 29, 2024

Stream UMW Theatre’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Online

When in-person classes were suspended on March 12, walking away from Much Ado About Nothing was heartbreaking; we had to step away from weeks and weeks of work, much of which we knew would never be seen by anyone but us. We are grateful that the UMW administration took decisive steps to keep all of us safe and well amidst so many unknowns; what remains most important is that you, your loved ones, and our greater world do everything we can to flatten the curve of the pandemic and emerge strong and healthy.

And yet, even in this time when we find ourselves apart from one another, we continue to believe in the power of theatre to nurture and inspire ourselves and our community.

Our students will be performing Much Ado About Nothing after all—ONLINE! Mark your calendar—April 16, 2020, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm—just two weeks away! REGISTER HERE.

Our entire department has come together to ensure that our students are engaged, connected, and seizing every opportunity to learn and grow, even when distance keeps us apart. Our performance of Much Ado is but one example of how we continue to teach and learn as a community of educators, artists, and students.

There are so many reasons why this project is important to all of us. Much Ado is the final production Helen Housley will direct for us as she anticipates retirement at the end of this year after two decades of teaching, directing, and serving as our vocal coach for dozens of productions. The same is true of Marilyn Wojdak, our costume shop supervisor, who is also retiring in May having brought a breathtaking level of excellence and professionalism to the shop in her 13 years with us. More than two dozen students have been rehearsing the play in the weeks prior to leaving campus and eight students have senior projects connected to Much Ado. Finally, it’s Shakespeare! We always celebrate the opportunity to bring his work to life.

We are thrilled at the prospect of getting to share our work with you as we wrap up our season. Different than planned, fairly abridged, and not onstage in Klein Theatre (but performed in bedrooms and living rooms across several states), Much Ado, nonetheless, will showcase what we do best—students finding themselves in the work, strengthening their skills, growing their capacity to contribute to our community, and readying themselves for life after UMW. 

Please join us. Our students need your support right now. With so much uncertainty in our world, I want them to know that we are all there for them. Will you celebrate their work with me?

Wishing you good health and strength every day,

Gregg Stull
Producing Director

 

REGISTER HERE.

‘Ordinary Days’ Runs Through Feb. 23

UMW Theatre presents ‘Ordinary Days,’ running in Klein Theatre from Feb. 13-23.

Four young New Yorkers navigate the chaos of being alive in the city that never sleeps, in a world that is eternally shifting. While seemingly unconnected, their paths become entwined in the most unexpected of ways and at the most unlikely of moments. This simple, sweet musical by one of today’s most impressive musical theatre talents, Adam Gwon, reminds us that remarkable lives grow from weeks, months, and years of quite Ordinary Days.

“. . . a sad-sweet comment on the anonymity of life in the city, where it is possible to change other people’s fates without actually getting to meet them.” —The New York Times

“A fresh alternative to most of the overproduced stuff on Broadway.” —The Washington Post

Tickets are available online, over the phone and in person at the Klein Theatre Box Office, which is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Actors Split Role in UMW Musical ‘Fun Home’

In UMW Theatre’s production of Tony Award-winning musical ‘Fun Home,’ three actors – Madison Neilson, Olivia Whicheloe and Lydia Hundley – portray graphic novelist Alison Bechdel at various stages of her life. Photo by Geoff Greene.

In UMW Theatre’s production of Tony Award-winning musical ‘Fun Home,’ three actors – Madison Neilson, Olivia Whicheloe and Lydia Hundley – portray graphic novelist Alison Bechdel at various stages of her life. Photo by Geoff Greene.

A pivotal scene in UMW Theatre’s current musical features the protagonist recalling a drive she took with her late father. Struggling to find the words, they sing a heartbreaking duet about their failure to have an open and honest conversation.

“I’ve lived that exact moment, looking out the car window because I didn’t know what to say to my dad,” said senior Lydia Hundley, who plays the college-aged Alison Bechdel, who later became a successful graphic novelist, in Fun Home. Hundley credits Bechdel’s critically acclaimed memoir and the musical it inspired for teaching her how to communicate with her own parents.

She’s one of three actors who will portray Bechdel at various stages of her life. Junior Madison Neilson plays her at age 10, and senior Olivia Whicheloe portrays her as an adult. The show, which continues UMW’s 2019-20 theatre season, runs Nov. 14 to 16 and Nov. 21 to 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. in duPont Hall’s Klein Theatre. Tickets cost $25 for general admission, and $20 for students, senior citizens, alumni and military. Read more. 

UMW Theatre Presents ‘Fun Home,’ PWYC Preview Nov. 6

The journey to adulthood is a road of peaks and valleys. All of us share the experience of what it means to grow up in an uncertain world, to search and stumble along the path, and to forge our way to a meaningful future. In a refreshingly honest, gorgeously conceived, and exceptionally innovative musical based on Alison Bechdel’s heartbreaking graphic memoir, Fun Home reminds us of the life-affirming joy that comes from facing our fears to become the person we were meant to be.

“ . . . dazzling musical . . . a wonderfully funny, mischievous account of family life and a touching memoir about growing up.”
—Financial Times

For information or questions about tickets, please contact the Klein Theatre Box Office during operating hours at 540-654-1111.

UMW Theatre’s The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] Closes Sept. 29

UMW Theatre presents The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]
By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield
September 19-29

A company of actors storms the stage and takes on the Bard of Avon—37 plays and 154 sonnets—in a 97-minute madcap romp through the entire canon (but not the one you studied in English class). Fasten your seatbelts and hang on for dear life as you take one of the wildest and goofiest rides in the theatre. The Bard may be rolling in his grave, but you’ll be rolling in the aisles for The Complete Works of Shakespeare, abridged, revised.

“If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!”
—The Today Show

“Wildly funny. Masterful!” —The Los Angeles Times

Tickets will be made available online, over the phone and in person at the Klein Theatre Box Office starting September 5, 2019. The Klein Theatre Box Office is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.