Posted: Monday, September 13, 2021

The University of Evansville (UE) Department of Theatre proudly presents the Fall 2021 Shanklin Theatre season. After more than a year’s absence from live performances on campus, UE Theatre is ready to welcome patrons back with an extraordinary line-up of plays which includes a humorous interpretation of everyday life, a dashing story of self-willed sisters, and a fascinating cabaret about life and the way people interact with possessions.

The season kicks off with EVERYBODY, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Visiting Assistant Professor Stacey Yen. EVERYBODY opens on Fri., Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m., in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Sept. 2–5, 30, Oct. 1, 2, and at 2:00 p.m., on Oct. 3.

A finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, this innovative play is an immersive and inclusive experience for the cast and audience—as actors draw lots onstage to discover which role they will play at each performance. This brilliant, award-winning playwright gives us a modern take on EVERYMAN, a 15th-century morality play. His inventive interpretation is a provocative and joyful romp about love and death, a whimsical look into the unknown, and, ultimately, an exploration of the ties that bind us on this wondrous journey called life. Who knew that death could be so fun? And absurdly funny!

Next in the repertory line-up is THREE SISTERS from the iconic playwright Anton Chekhov, written in a new version, by Sarah Ruhl. The production is directed by Professor Diane Brewer and opens Fri., Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Nov. 19, 20, Dec. 2, and at 2:00 p.m., on Nov. 13 and Dec. 5.

This playwright’s modern voice has garnered her a Tony Award nomination, a MacArthur Fellowship, and she was twice named a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Her version of one of Chekhov’s most famous plays exposes the timely struggles of a family living in a small town in Russia and facing gambling debts, a house in foreclosure, and fears of a war on the horizon. These sisters defy despair, celebrate milestones, fall hopelessly in love, and rival as only siblings can. With unyielding resilience and acerbic humor, these women throw themselves into the distance between their dreams and reality and inspire us all to brave our own “new normal.”

The inventive play GONE MISSING, devised by the groundbreaking theatre troupe, The Civilians, is directed by Wes Grantom ’03 and opens Sat., Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Nov. 18, Dec. 3, 4, and at 2:00 p.m., on Nov. 20, 21.

This charming show combines real-life interviews about the nature of memory with a scintillating score that effortlessly swings between salsa, ballads, jazzy numbers, and tuneful pop songs. An ensemble of eccentric characters seamlessly intertwines tales of lost objects with fascinating stories of seekers and finders and examines our tendency to place heightened significance on everyday items. While a global pandemic may be the most opportune time to explore this “cabaret of loss,” it is the communal experience of shared joy that is sure to resonate and linger in hearts and minds long after the show ends.

In following industry standards, as established by the Broadway League, all audience members must show proof of COVID–19 vaccination or a negative test result
taken within 72-hours of the date on their ticket. Upon arrival at Shanklin Theatre, proof of vaccination/negative test result and an ID will be checked before each performance. In compliance with the UE Coronavirus Task Force guidelines, all audience members must remain masked when indoors on campus. Additionally, Shanklin Theatre will be seated at no more than 50% capacity.

Season tickets are available now at $45 for adults and $40 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. Single ticket prices for EVERYBODY, THREE SISTERS, and GONE MISSING are $20 for adults and $18 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12:00 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend. Tickets may be purchased by calling (812) 488–2031, Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also visit the Ticket Office on campus, located within Shanklin Theatre in Hyde Hall.

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