Welcome to the DePauw Theatre archives, where we invite you to explore the rich history of our past seasons. From thought-provoking dramas to vibrant musical productions, you can browse through years of student performances and creative milestones below.
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Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches
Spring 2017
Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches is the first half of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama detailing the lives of two couples struggling to make sense in a world torn apart by disease, sex and religion. Set in the apocalyptic days of New York in the late eighties, Kushner’s play explores threat of disease against the backdrop of American life. This production contains adult themes, strong language and sexual themes; audience discretion is advised. -
The Importance of Being Earnest
Fall 2017
Join Algy and Jack, two dashing (and clueless) men about town, and Cecily and Gwendolyn, two charming (and ruthless) young women bent upon matrimony. Add an orphan infant in a handbag, two sickly imaginary dependents, and the infamous Lady Bracknell – and you have The Importance of Being Earnest. Oscar Wilde’s farcical comedy, subtitled “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” has delighted audiences since its premiere in 1895. No one is what he (or she) seems in Earnest – and Wilde’s scathing satire mocks social conventions, pomp and pretense – and marriage. In particular, The Importance of Being Earnest skewers stereotypical gender relations and introduces the “New Woman” in a frothy comedy often deemed “the greatest English stage comedy of all time.” -
Young Frankenstein
Fall 2017
From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster new musical comedy. The comedy genius, Mel Brooks, adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation – Young Frankenstein! Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original as it will be to newcomers, Young Frankenstein has all the of panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added. It will surely be the perfect opportunity for a production company to showcase an array of talents. With such memorable tunes as "The Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend" and "Puttin' on the Ritz," Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment. -
Company
Fall 2016
“Phone rings, door chimes, in comes Company!” DePauw Theatre and DePauw’s School of Music present the Tony-awarding winning musical Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Perennially single Bobby is pushed toward matrimony by his married friends: long-married Sarah and Harry, about-to-be-married Amy and Paul, about-to-get-divorced Susan and Peter, married-with-kids Jenny and David, and many-times-married Joanne and Larry. Worse, Bobby gets more pressure from girlfriends April, Mara and Kathy, who hope that he will –finally – commit. Called, “diamond sharp, funny and chilling,” this award-winning musical comedy features iconic songs from Stephen Sondheim. Join a stellar cast for Company, a witty and acerbic musical commentary on love – and marriage. -
Original Plays by DePauw Student Playwrights
Spring 2016
DePauw Theatre's long tradition of encouraging and developing student written plays goes mainstage with these original student works. During Fall 2015 plays are conceived, written and rewritten and finally selected for production. A collaboration with faculty playwright and director Steve Timm, this evening of exciting new works celebrates the process of creating art from the germinal idea to a fully staged production. -
Seminar
Winter 2016
Seminar, a dark comedy by Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck, explores the lives and loves of four young aspiring writers, Jeffrey, Kate, Izzy and Martin, each of whom antes up $5,000 to pay for a private writing seminar with Leonard, a brilliant and acerbic celebrity author. As they struggle with Leonard’s unusual teaching methods and often vicious criticism, they must deal with their own insecurities, fluctuating power relationships and sexual betrayals. Described as a “sparkling cocktail of ambition, power, and lust,” Seminar premiered on Broadway in 2011. -
Spring Spectacle of Shakespeare
Spring 2016
In its 6th year, the Spring Spectacle is a partnership between DePauw University and Putnam County schools. The program trains DPU students to direct local middle and high school students in the mounting of fully staged 90-minute Shakespeare plays. The Spring Spectacle is inspired by and produced in association with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA.
