You are cordially invited to, "The Birthday Party."

"There's a gentleman living here. He's got a birthday today, and he's forgotten all about it. So we're going to remind him." –Goldberg, Act I

 

Welcome to a seaside boarding house, your hostess is Meg, the mentally unstable wife of Petey. Meg decides there should be a birthday party for their odd and disheveled boarder, Stanley. Guests to the impromptu party include mysterious strangers Goldberg & McCann and neighbor Lulu. Things take a disturbing turn as party games become cruel taunts and twists in the dark. When a new day shines light on the remnants of the party, it is clear that things will never be the same at the little house by the sea. 

You don't want to miss this wild party!!! The Birthday Party runs next Friday, February 6th through the 15th

"The Birthday Party"

By:Harold Pinter

Directed by: Jennifer Graham

Meet our gracious hostess, Meg, played by Kasey Donnelly, and the birthday boy himself Stanley, played by Joey Kulza!!! Find out more about the show in this Actor's Studio and see what sweet challenge they got into! 

Performances Are:

February 6,7,12,13 & 14 at 7p.m.
and February 8 & 15 at 2p.m.

Click here for tickets

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Take a trip back in time with TINTYPES!!!

"...the Statue of Liberty emerging from the mist. Ah, there she was, the symbol of hope, freedom, of opportunity." –Emma, Act I

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!  

A whirlwind musical revue of over 50 songs is coming your way!!! Explore one of the most exciting periods of American history told through the eyes of a Russian immigrant named Charlie and his interwoven experiences with Theodore Roosevelt, Anna Held, Emma Goldman and Bert Williams!

Take a trip back in time with,  Tintypes, opening this Friday, November 21th 2014! This show also runs the weekend of December 4th through December 7th!!

Conceived by Mary Kyte
with Mel Marvin and Gary Pearle
Musical vocal arrangements by Mel Marvin
Orchestration vocal arrangements by John McKinney

Directed by: Wallace Bridges
Musical Direction: Howard Cass 

We sat down with two of the performers in Tintypes, Sydney Woll and Nick Beezy! Find out what you can expect out of the show and get an exclusive first look at their musical talents!!! 

Performances Are:

November 21 and 22 at 7PM,
November 23 at 2PM
and December 4, 5, and 6 at 7PM,
December 7 at 2PM

Click here for Tickets 

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EMU Theatre 2012-2013 Mainstage Season: Flesh, Blood, Urine, and Love.

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. 

Directed by Lee Stille.

Evening Performances: October 19, 20, 26, 27 @ 7pm

Sunday Matinees: October  21, 28 @ 2pm

DRAMA DAY: October 27 Morning

STUDENT NIGHT: October 25 @ 10pm

Striking Twelve: Holiday Music (Staged Reading) by GrooveLily. 

Directed by Ken Stevens and Ryan Lewis.

Evening Performances: November 9, 10 @ 7pm

Sunday Matinee: November 11 @ 2pm

White as Snow, Red as Blood: The Story of Snow White by V. Glasgow Koste. 

Directed by Jenny Koppera.

Evening Performances: November 30, December 1, 6, 7, 8 @ 7pm

Sunday Matinees: December 2, 8 @ 2pm

Potential School Matinees: December 5, 6 @ 10am

Shaking Earth (Staged Reading) 

Written and directed by Patricia Zimmer.

Evening Performances: January 25, 26, @ 7pm

Sunday Matinee: January 27 @ 2pm

Urinetown: The Musical with Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollman and Lyrics and Book by Greg Kotis. 

Directed by Pirooz Aghssa.

Evening Performances: February 15, 16, 22, 23 @ 7pm

Sunday Matinees: 17, 24 @ 2pm

STUDENT NIGHT: February 21 @ 10pm

The Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White by Alice Childress. 

Directed by Wallace Bridges.

Evening Performances: April 5, 6, 12, 13 @ 7pm

Sunday Matinees: April 7, 14 @ 7pm

STUDENT NIGHT: April 11 @ 10pm

Honk! A Stiles & Drewe Musical. 

Directed by Ken Stevens.

Evening Performances: May 31, June 1, 6, 7, 8 @ 7pm

Sunday Matinees: June 2, 9 @ 2pm

Potential School Matinees: June 5, 6 @ 10am

Visit our website for more info!

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What is Tech-Week?

Have you ever bumped into a sad-looking Thespian and inquired, "Are you doing okay?"
To which they reply, "I'm just not really alive right now. It's tech week for the show I'm in."
That's when you give them an encouraging pat on the back (not too hard, because they're very fragile) and wonder to yourself, "What is this new torture device that is crushing the souls of thespians all around the world?"

EMU Theatre is here to answer that question! The cast & crew of The 39 Steps will be undergoing the "tech process" Sunday-Thursday (May 27-31) to get the show ready by FRIDAY, JUNE 1ST!


EMU production stage manager, Emily-Ann Jugowicz says, "Actors get weeks of rehearsal to put everything together for a production. Tech week is the one week we get to figure out all of the technical elements: set, lighting, costumes, etc."


When you sit down in a comfy theatre seat and smoke comes up from the ground and the lights begin to swirl and music fills the air, there is surely someone over a headset cueing all of the other technicians to make it seem like you're viewing magic. This is another major part of tech week. Breaking down every sight, sound, entrance, exit, and costume piece to make it look seamless and professional.


Jugowicz says, "It's a lot going on at once. Usually, the actors are really familiar with the script but the crew has never seen the show before. The actors can get angry and sometimes the directors want to work out actor blocking when we should be focusing on tech. Meanwhile, the crews are on headset in stand-by wanting and waiting to move on."


So if you're ever wondering why your theatre friend is looking down in the dumps, assume it's tech week and they're dealing with the drama within the drama.


And don't forget about The 39 Steps opening June 1st! This show is very "tech-heavy". Lots of quick changes and lighting tricks and illusions. Come see what they pull off at tech week!

Get Tickets Here!

The History of Sponberg Theatre

Ken Stevens, Director of "The 39 Steps" , was the head of the 1980's campaign to build the Sponberg Theatre from the ground up and has produced countless performances within the space since.  All it took was a little bit of hard-work, some celebrity power, and one helicopter...

1970's

• Dr. Harold E. Sponberg is President of EMU and heads the initiative to create scholarships for the arts.
• EMU Forensics Team wins National Championship ('73, '75, '76, '77, '78, '79).
• Ken Stevens and his pal, Bob McElya, joked about putting a bubble over the outdoor performance space to create a Garden Theatre. 

1980-1983

• John Porter becomes President of EMU and sends out a call for proposals for capital campaigns at EMU.
• Ken writes proposal for Sponberg Theatre - a 200 seat facility that could be used to extend EMU Theatre programming, hold national Forensics competitions, and other campus events.
• A firm in Chicago deems Sponberg Theatre as the campaign that is most likely to succeed.
• The Department Head of the Communication and Theatre Arts Department, Dennis Beagen, backs the project along with Porter.
• Ken is asked to head the campaign.
• Ken seeks to secure the project with large donors before taking the project public.
• Enough funds are secured to make the campaign public.
• Carol Channing agrees to announce the campaign to the public ONLY if she can be flown to EMU by helicopter.
• Ken meets Carol on COBO Roof, takes a helicopter to EMU, and lands where our current Student Center is located.
• Carol announces the campaign and buys the first two chairs of Sponberg Theatre.

1984

• Enough funds are raised to break ground.
• Ground is broken.

2012

• On June 1st, Ken Stevens will present The 39 Steps in the Sponberg Theatre.
• Ken talks about his love for the space, "It's open, the size is right, and there is a sense of intimacy. You can do a range of productions. As a director, it is always a challenge to find a way to do a show in an unorthodox setting

Past productions that have taken place in Sponberg: 

Into the Woods, Brecht on Brecht, Little Me, Dead Man's Cell Phone, and many many more.

Click Here for Tickets to The 39 Steps!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY IN THE SPONBERG THEATRE BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW!

Hitchcock for Fun!

Movies like Psycho and Dial 'M' For Murder tend to cause vindictive grimaces, however, the stage-parody of Hitchcock's The 39 Steps is said to be one of Broadway's funniest productions. The 39 Steps will open on June 1 at EMU Theatre so we thought we'd give you some Fun Facts about Hitchcock to show you Hitchcock can be pleasant! 

• Alfred Hitchcock cast his daughter Patricia in the part of Caroline, Janet Leigh's co-worker in Psycho.
• Alfred Hitchcock was honored with a U. S. Postage stamp in 1998. 
• When Hitchcock was filming The 39 Steps he handcuffed the lead actor and actress Madeleine Carroll and Robert Donat and pretended to lose the key.
• Hitchcock never won an Academy Award for Best Director.
• Sir Anthony Hopkins is set to play Hitchcock in a new biographical drama about the life of one of the most influential film artists of all time. (Release date has yet to be announced.)

Hopkins as Hitchcock

So don't miss The 39 Steps at EMU Theatre! Director, Ken Stevens, has not handcuffed his actors (yet) but it's sure going to be a good time. Four actors playing 150+ characters. Hitchcock would be proud.

PURCHASE TIX!

Guys Doin It Just for the Dolls Since 1950

These celebrities share something in common with countless drama clubs, community theatres, local theatres, and *ah hem* EMU Theatre!...

 

These celebrities have starred in the American Musical Theatre staple, Guys and Dolls which will be presented by EMU Theatre April 13-21. Since its 1950 premiere in New York City, Guys and Dolls has taken performance art by storm and is ripping through the Quirk Theatre. 

The music and lyrics of Guys and Dolls were written by Frank Loesser (also known for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying). The songs leave you with a pep in your step or a catchy ballad in your head. And all of this is heightened by the glitz & glamour and sensational music.

Frank Loesser

Music I can wish you

Merry music while you're young 

And wisdom when your hair has turned to gray.

Guys and Dolls premiered November 24th, 1950 and ran for 12 hundred performances. It swept the 1951 Tony Awards by winning five awards including Best Musical.

Stubby Kaye as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in 1950

In 1953 Guys and Dolls had its West-End premiere at the London Coliseum and is a popular choice for drama clubs and community theatres in Europe! Isn't that lovely?

Guys and Dolls spread widely throughout Pop Culture in 1955 when it was featured as a film starring Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. The musical added Luck Be a Lady as a signature in Sinatra's repertoire. 

The musical has since been revived in London and New York nearly twice a decade while gathering a rather impressive Rolodex of notable performers taking a chance with Guys and Dolls.

The story follows two couples and their struggles towards commitment. A combination of underground gambling, expectations in regards to commitment, mixed in with the Jazz era and you get one illuminating glimpse into a lifestyle that is now a novelty. 

Join the lads in their effort to tame a dame.. 

...and you definitely don't want to miss the gals giving it all they've got.

Guys and Dolls opens on April 13 at Eastern Michigan University Theatre. Come be apart of history.

(CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS)

Check out EMU Theatre Celebrities talking about Guys and Dolls!

"Dead Man's Cell Phone" by Sarah Ruhl at EMU Theatre

 

Have you ever asked yourself the morbid yet intriguing question: What will happen to my cell phone after I die? EMU Theatre's production of  Dead Man's Cell Phone is sure to entertain your imagination and leave you chewing on thoughts about our technological mortality. (Performance dates: Feb. 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, & 16.)

 

One of the top contemporary playwrights, Sarah Ruhl, explores the absurdly profound story of a dead man's cell phone.

Picture this...A woman, Jean, is sitting in a cafe. There is a man sitting across from her and his cell phone begins to ring...

"Excuse me, are you going to get that?"

...(he doesn't respond.)

"Would you mind answering your phone?"

...(still no response.)

As Jean approaches the man, it is revealed he is dead! But every time his phone rings, she answers it! And then she goes to the funeral! And meets his mistress! And his widow! And his mother! 

You may read this and think, "Why are they giving it all away?"

Trust us. That is just the beginning.

Jean sweeps herself into a dark romantic comedy as she helps the memory of the dead man live on in the minds and hearts of his loved ones. Dead Man's Cell Phone is a fast-moving story filled with romance, humor, tragedy, absurdism, and the reality of the secrets we may leave behind in our hand held devices.

Pretty cool, huh? So let's tell you what is so special about EMU Theatre's production of this exciting contemporary masterpiece!

First of all, Director Pirooz Aghssa decided to "double-cast" the role of the dead man, Gordon, and the dead man's brother, Dwight. Which means the SAME ACTOR will play the roles of Gordon and Dwight.  Theatre Arts Major, Eric Hohnke (pictured above), is just the man for the job! With an intense focus on the vocal and physical differences between Gordon and Dwight, Hohnke has been hard at work since he saw his name on the cast list. Both characters have distinct differences (even though Hohnke sometimes changes characters in a matter of minutes!)

Also, student designers are participating in major elements of the show. Emily Clarkson and Haley Cavanaugh are responsible for the lighting and costume designs for Dead Man's Cell Phone. 

Everyone's been working around the clock to share a piece of high-quality contemporary theatre with an array of audiences. Dead Man's Cell Phone is a story for everyone (and when we say everyone - we mean ages 14+ due to the "F Bombs"). Bring a date! Bring a friend! Bring your Grandma! Come explore disconnects in the digital age. But be careful. You may begin to wonder...Would I ever answer a dead man's cell phone?

For more info...

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Dead Man's Cell Phone is running in rep with a production of No Child... Stay tuned for more info!!

Five Reasons to See "Go, Dog. Go!"

1) Escape the Cold!

We've all noticed it's been getting colder in Southeast Michigan. EMU Theatre will keep you cozy on December 2, 9 at 7pm and 3, 4, 10 at 2pm with a lovable performance of Go, Dog. Go!

2) Sandwich Juggling Dogs. 

Go, Dog. Go! is about dogs acting like humans. In the show we get to see them juggle sandwiches, tap dance, wear hats, and throw parties. Click here to watch a silly video of a dog acting like a person!

3) Win Prizes!

One lucky winner will receive a giant stuffed puppy and a copy of the book,  Go, Dog. Go! (More information will be provided at the performances.) There will also be a coloring contest, an Imagination Station, and puppy suckers! 

4) Exercise Your Imagination.

Blue-Ray ain't got nothing on EMU Theatre! Use your imagination to create a world full of fun. The show is highly interactive so YOUR presence is crucial to the experience.  

5) Spend Time with Family.

Theatre is a great way to share an experience, outside of "the norm". Go, Dog. Go! will appeal to all ages. So do something nice for a special child in your life and have some fun with EMU Theatre.

Purchase Tickets Here!