The 64th season of Emporia State University Summer Theatre continues this June and July. The new season features a lineup of four shows sure to please audiences of all ages. The line-up includes “A Dog’s Life” by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto, “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon, “Suite Surrender” by Michael McKeever and “Moo Juice: The Musical” by Krista “Funky Mama” Eyler. All performances will be at the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall on the Emporia State University campus. Tickets are available from the Memorial Union Ticket Office at 620-341-6378.
Directed by Jim and Lindy Bartruff, “A Dog’s Life” by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto was originally produced by Kansas City’s Heartland Theatre. This hilarious, warmhearted new musical chronicles the joys and challenges of dog ownership. But just who owns whom? When Joel adopts Jack the dog at the pound, he soon realizes life will never be the same. Meanwhile, Big Dog wants to be adopted alone, but his only way out includes yippy Little Dog. For both of these pairs, initially hesitant relationships blossom into profound friendships. A celebration of the inseparable bond between man and mutt, “A Dog’s Life” runs June 13-16 at 7:30 p.m.
The second production of the summer season is Neil Simon’s time honored work “The Odd Couple,” directed by ESU Alumnus Fran Opheim. This classic comedy opens as a group of the guys assemble for cards in the apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it's no wonder that his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Unger, who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together with hilarious results as “The Odd Couple” is born. Catch the roommate dram-edy as it runs June 27-30 at 7:30 p.m.
“Suite Surrender!” by Michael McKeever is the third production of the season, under the direction of Bob Hart. It's 1942, and two of Hollywood's biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel — assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance ... that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres, and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this love note to the classic farces of the ’30s and ’40s. Get your white flags ready when “Suite Surrender” runs July 11-14 at 7:30 p.m.
Reminisce the days of youth in the final show of the summer theatre season: Krista “Funky Mama” Eyler’s “Moo Juice: The Musical,” directed by Jim and Lindy Bartruff. It is the summer before kindergarten begins at the Time Out Daycare in Johnson County, Kansas. Ms. Patty is trying to hold things together on parent’s day with mixed success. The show features songs and sketches about life in the kid zone in songs like "Potty Train" and "Ooo, Ahh, Oww!" about combing out the tangles in long hair. The vibrant and charming moments of children’s lives will be told through song when “Moo Juice: The Musical” runs July 25-28 at 7:30 p.m.
Technical direction for the theatre season is provided by Chris Lohkamp, who will also serve as set designer for “Suite Surrender.” Rick Rasmussen, a KU grad and professional designer from Seattle returns to ESU Summer Theatre for his 25th season. Rasmussen will design scenery and costumes for both “A Dog’s Life” and “The Odd Couple.” ESU grad and KU grad student Lexey Jost will be the scenographer for “Moo Juice: The Musical.” Costume Shop Manager Amanda Dura will be the costume designer for “Suite Surrender.” She will be assisted by alum Allison DeMeyer. Tiffany Budke will be the pianist for “A Dog’s Life.”
The 2018 Summer Theatre student company members are Lucas Coble, Elizabeth Higbee, Ben Hill, Drew Keller, Miranda Kimble, Tyler Lang, Harriel Mack, Mollie McClanahan, Hewleek McKoy, Weiqi Meng, Isabelle Nelson, Mason Nicks, Yerim Noh, Olivia Nunnelley, Emily Rayson, Zulema Renteria, Dayne Sabatos, Jared Steele, Elizabeth Tate, Abbi Timmermeyer, Cameron Webb and Cameron White.
For tickets to these performances, visit the Memorial Union Ticket Office or call 620-341-6378. For media inquiries and more information about the show season, contact Soojin Pearson, at 620-341-5704 or sbae1@emporia.edu.
This summer also marks the beginning of ESU Theatre’s annual Theatre Guild Membership Drive. Theatre Guild Members receive the benefits of 8 shows, two opening night dinners, and a scholarship donation for only $125! Guild Membership also includes a ticket to each of the Summer Theatre 2018 shows, and each of the productions during the 2018-19 academic year — including “Pippin,” ESU’s 2018 Homecoming Scholarship Musical.
Another way to give is to become an ESU Summer Theatre Angel. Angels’ donations for the Butcher Summer Theatre Endowment help protect and enhance the future of ESU’s cherished entertainment tradition — Summer Theatre! Gifts of any size are welcome.
For more information about Theatre Guild Membership, or becoming a Summer Theatre Angel, please contact Soojin Pearson, at 620-341-5704 or sbae1@emporia.edu.