Playshop Theatre Opens 87th Season with ‘Rejoice!’

The Playshop Theatre at Allegheny College opens its 87th season Friday with “Rejoice!”— an original production written and performed by Dan Crozier and directed by Roberta Levine. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 10 in the Gladys Mullenix Black Theatre in the Vukovich Center for Communication Arts.

The 2016–17 lineup also includes “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel and directed by Beth Watkins, on Nov. 17–20; “Luna Gale,” written by Rebecca Gilman and directed by Mark Cosdon, Feb. 23–26; and “Baby with the Bathwater,” written by Tony award-winning author Christopher Durang and directed by Crozier, April 20–23.

“A Civil War Christmas,” “Luna Gale,” and “Baby with the Bathwater” are examinations of the American character, said Watkins, professor of communication arts at Allegheny College and managing director of the Playshop Theatre.

“We’re trying to look at the American character and we’re doing it in different kinds of ways,” Watkins said. “‘A Civil War Christmas’ is looking at a historical moment and how it resonates with the present day, whereas ‘Luna Gale’ is a play taking place in the present and it’s looking at some very current kinds of social conflicts.” “Baby with the Bathwater” is an “outrageous satire of the American family,” Watkins said.

The goal of the Playshop is to educate students about all aspects of the theatre, from acting to technical work. But it also seeks to be a catalyst, Watkins said.

“We want to entertain our audiences, but we also want to provoke them into conversation and into reflecting on the world around us,” she said.

The 2016–17 season will do just that, she said.

Tickets for all productions are $10 for adults and $8 for non-Allegheny students, senior citizens and Allegheny employees. Although admission is free for Allegheny students with identification, they are asked to make reservations.

For more information or to order tickets, contact the Playshop Theatre box office at (814) 332-3414.