The production, a collaboration between the �鶹ӳ����ý music and theatre departments, will be directed by musical theatre coordinator Earl D. Weaver and feature a large cast of �鶹ӳ����ý actors and musicians. Next year, Oklahoma! celebrates its 75th anniversary since first opening on Broadway, and �鶹ӳ����ý’s performing arts team wanted to highlight the beauty of the musical in a big way.

“There will be more than 200 faculty, staff, and students from both departments working together to produce the show,” said Weaver. “There will be a cast of 50 performers/dancers and more than 70 orchestra members onstage together, bringing to life this golden age musical.”

Oklahoma! presents some challenges to the cast and crew, however, as the �鶹ӳ����ý students are more used to performing on stages much smaller than the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts’ Walt Disney Theater.

“The demands of scale for the cast, orchestra, and all the technical/design elements has presented us with new challenges,” said Weaver, “but it is very exciting to get the opportunity to perform in such a prestigious venue.”

�鶹ӳ����ý theatre major Kyle Laing, who will play the lead role of Curly, also recognizes the demands of a significantly larger venue.

“Transferring the production from �鶹ӳ����ý into the Dr. Phillips Center will be a task,” he said, “not necessarily a bad one, but we will all need to be organized and on our A-games.”

Laing was last seen on �鶹ӳ����ý stages last fall as the title character in the university’s production of Young Frankenstein. He said this production obviously has a very different feel than that show.

“This is definitely the largest stage I’ve ever performed on. I think of all shows to perform, to have such a classic on our hands and that we’re doing it in its entirety—with a ballet performance in the middle—it’s just such an honor to recognize Oklahoma! on its 75th anniversary,” said Laing. “It’s a simple show, but a beautiful, lighter evening at the theatre, and I hope that people can just enjoy that and feel good afterwards and be a part of it with us.”

The third annual �鶹ӳ����ý Celebrates the Arts will feature more than 1,000 university students, 100 faculty members and some collaborative programs with outside partners to showcase theatre, dance, orchestra, choirs, big band, chamber music, cabaret, concert bands, opera, visual arts, studio art, gaming, animation, photography and film.

This is part of a series of stories about the April 7-14 events at �鶹ӳ����ý Celebrates the Arts 2017. All events are free, but a limited number of reserved seats at $20 will be available March 1-8. The free tickets will be available beginning March 9. Tickets are required for all performances and entrance into the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. Ticketing and full schedule details are posted at .

With presentations of ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, pointe and hip-hop, the program will be a celebration of new dance works created by students, faculty and alumni.

Musical theater senior Ashby Carlos, one of the student choreographers whose routine was chosen for the event, said his dance is about the conflict between Adam and Eve set to a mixture of ballet, African contemporary and Bollywood.

“Personally, this has given me an opportunity to do something I’ve never done before. Judi Siegfried [�鶹ӳ����ý dance coordinator] has given me permission to expand my horizons,” Carlos said. “I never thought I’d be doing this in front of so many people. It is really significant to me.

“We all need to express ourselves – because what else do we have to live for?”

Earl D. Weaver, Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý artistic director, said this year’s concert is significant.

“It is the 10th anniversary of our annual spring dance concert, which has presented more than 1,000 dancers and 150 new choreographed works by students, faculty, and alumni over the past 10 years,” he said.  “Having the opportunity to showcase the dance works created in our department has been a tremendous boost to the number of students auditioning for our dance minor program.”

More than 70 performers in the concert were selected through an audition process. 

The participants are primarily in the dance minor and Theatre Department major programs, but there are some other students from around the university and alumni who tried out and were cast for the anniversary performance, too, Weaver said.

The competition among choreographers was rigorous this year.

“There were more pieces auditioned than could be included in the concert,” Weaver said. “Judi [Siegfried] and I had a very tough time selecting the best student pieces for the concert.”

Each student choreographed an original piece that was performed at their class final, and from there, eight pieces were chosen to appear in the concert. The other 11 pieces were created by faculty members, alumni, and students who have choreographed for previous concerts.”

“This year we are inviting our dance minor alumni to come back and perform in the concert, and we’re thrilled to welcome old and new faces to the Dr. Phillips Center,” Siegfried said

The student-choreographed works were required to have a story line for the class finals. Some of the themes are a mother caring for a child with a later role reversal, a community coming together after a natural disaster, and a discovery of companionship.

Some of the other “feel good” presentations will include high-energy tap pieces, romantic ballet and a tribute to Frank Sinatra.

The dance concert is one of the many events that will be presented in this second annual �鶹ӳ����ý Celebrates the Arts which is all free and open to the public.

More than 1,000 university students, 100 faculty members and some collaborative programs with outside partners will showcase theatre, dance, orchestra, choirs, big band, chamber music, cabaret, concert bands, opera, visual arts, studio art, gaming, animation, photography and film.

This is part of a series of stories about the April 8-16 events at �鶹ӳ����ý Celebrates the Arts 2016. All events are free, but tickets are required for performances and entrance into the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando. Ticketing and full schedule details will be posted at in mid-February.

“The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” is a quick-witted satire on Victorian manners. Jack and Algernon, two bachelor friends, court two young ladies by leading double lives, under the watchful eye of an intimidating and opinionated Lady Bracknell.

“Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?” is directed by Earl D. Weaver, who is also the artistic director for Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý. The musical chronicles a group of elementary school kids as they progress through Catholic school, and eventually meet up at their 10-year reunion.

“Black Patent Leather Shoes is a charming musical about children growing up Catholic and learning how to deal with the many stages of adolescence and the world around them. It is a good complement to [The Importance of Being] Earnest because most of our student actors this summer are performing in both shows,” said Weaver.

“These two plays require actors to maneuver through two plays that deal differently with language, time periods, clothing, and cultural/historical contexts. It allows the students a chance to tackle a “period play” and a “contemporary musical” at the same time. It also helps support the department’s mission to expose our performing arts students to different genres of theatre during their time at �鶹ӳ����ý.”

Performing the two shows in repertory is an important experience for theatre students to have, because many theatres operate in the fashion, particularly during the summer.

Theatre student David Klein is one of the students who was cast in both shows. He performs the role of Lane, the butler, in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and has the lead role of Eddie Ryan in the musical.

“The hardest thing about being in both shows is the amount of hours we work. We are in rehearsals for about 11 hours a day so it can get a bit tiresome when we get towards the end, especially since both of these shows are high energy,” Klein said.

 “I really enjoy the company of everyone involved with the shows. We’ve become a close group of friends in a few short weeks and that makes the long days worth it.”

Patrons should be aware of a few changes, starting with the June performances. In response to feedback from patrons, showtime for summer evening performances will be 7 p.m.. Start times will revert back to 8 p.m. in August, once the regular academic calendar resumes.

Also starting this summer, Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý is instituting a new ticket price of $10 for �鶹ӳ����ý faculty and staff, the same price as student tickets, and which is available by presenting a current and valid �鶹ӳ����ý ID during regular box office hours. No discounts are offered at the door. The faculty and staff discounted price will continue through the 2015-16 season.

The Importance of Being Earnest will return to the stage Aug. 27-30 to welcome students, faculty, and community members back to campus.

Productions at a glance:

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

By Oscar Wilde

Directed by Mark Routhier

June 25, 27, July 10, 16, 18 at 7 p.m.

Aug. 27, 28, 29 at 8 p.m.

July 12, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m.

Main Stage

A delightful romp of mistaken identities, witty banter, and larger-than-life characters!

While Gwendolyn and Cecily both fall in love with a man named Ernest, Jack and Algernon learn the importance of being earnest.

$20 standard, $10 �鶹ӳ����ý ID

Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

Book by John R. Powers; Music and Lyrics by James Quinn and Alaric Jans

Based on a novel by John R. Powers

Directed by Earl D. Weaver

June 26, July 9, 11, 17 at 7 p.m. 

June 28, July 19 at 2 p.m. 

Main Stage

A musical for anyone who ever survived middle school

Focusing on eight children during their Catholic elementary and high school education in the 1950s, this musical captures the funniest aspects of youthful growing pains and the trying moments of adolescence.

$20 standard, $10 �鶹ӳ����ý ID

For more information about Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý, visit .

The Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý Showcase will have performances on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, directed by Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý artistic director Earl D. Weaver, and will include musical selections from Nine and Hair, student monologues, stage combat demonstration and more.

Monologues will be performed by a range of students, from first-year acting students to those who are in the Masters of Fine Arts acting program. Be Boyd, theatre faculty member and acting coordinator for this event, says that there is an energy in the air that she hasn’t seen before.

“It feels different than a play. The students are presenting studio pieces and they are all very interested in seeing what each other is doing. They are all very excited to be presenting their own work to the public and to each other,” says Boyd.

Visiting professor and Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý alumnus Jordan Reeves is leading a group of students in “Guerilla Shakespeare.” The students are presenting a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which they will be presenting in entirety later this month.

“It’s a student-driven independent study about bringing Shakespeare to a modern audience. Our goal is to make these plays immediate and accessible to today’s audience, while the students learn how to create, produce, and act. They are learning to use whatever resources are at hand, even if that is only three blankets and a string a lights, to bring one of Shakespeare’s texts to life. It has instilled training, confidence, and a true sense of joy while working on the bard’s classics.”

Weaver is incorporating �鶹ӳ����ý alumni into the program’s finale: “The Age of Aquarius” from Hair, which is Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý’s fall musical.

“Since this is the first celebration, we wanted to include both current students and alumni in the event,” said Weaver. “We have alumni spanning 40 years of Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý history participating. It also will provide an opportunity for current students to meet alumni who are working professionals.”

Simply Dance, the dance showcase, also has two performances, on Sunday, April 12, and Monday, April 13. “Our patrons will get to see quality student and faculty choreographed works spanning a broad range of dance styles from ballet to jazz to modern to tap,” he said.

Judi Siegfried, director of the Simply Dance showcase, said this year-end performance is important to the students in the dance program. “The opportunity to present on a professional stage is valuable to our students, especially those who are focused on choreography. The pieces being performed were selected from the Improvisation Composition class, where the dancers must tell their stories solely through dance.  And since the Celebration is so focused on interdisciplinary work, several of our choreographers collaborated with composers to create original music to help tell their stories.”

Advance tickets for the Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý Showcase and Simply Dance are no longer available, however, walk-in seats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests hoping to attend these performances should join the queue outside of the Jim & Alexis Pugh Theatre at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

All events to �鶹ӳ����ý Celebrates the Arts 2015 are free, but tickets are required for many of the programs. The April 10-15 festival will feature studio art, music, theatre, dance, gaming, animation, photography and film at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando.  Visit  for more information, tickets and updated scheduling.

Nine is the story of a celebrated film director Guido Contini and his attempts to come up with a plot for his next film as he is pursued by hordes of beautiful women, all clamoring to be loved by him and him alone. Flashbacks reveal the substance of his life which will become the material for his next film: a musical version of the Casanova story. The play has also been adapted into a major motion picture.

Senior Ashley Turner plays the role of Guido’s wife Luisa, and speaks to the originality of the production. “This play is nothing like the movie. I hope the audience doesn’t bring in preconceived notions that they are seeing a recreation of it.”

Turner says the play is relatable for college students and older audiences alike. “Luisa loves Guido, but realizes that her marriage is toxic and needs to make a decision about staying with him or doing what is best for herself. And Guido is at a point in his life where he has to change his old ways and adapt to new ideas. He’s having a midlife crisis, but college students are also having to leave old things behind and adjust to a new life. These are ideas that anyone can relate to.”

Nicholas J. Wood, Jr., a Theatre student in his final year of studies, is the assistant director and assistant choreographer. He agrees with Turner that �鶹ӳ����ý’s production is unique. He says it is sleek, sensual, and bold.

“It is very imaginative. For people who know Nine, this is a different type of production,” he said. “[Director Earl D. Weaver] and I haven’t been trying to copy what happened on Broadway. We’re interpreting this in our own way.

“It’s kind of a voyage between fantasy and reality. From a choreographic standpoint, it was important to have two styles that represented those two worlds. For instance, ‘Folies Bergeres’ is a memory piece for Lilianne LeFleur [Guido’s producer]. It flips between reality and her memories. Her reality is sleek and jazzy and the memories are a glorification of the French showgirl. It’s a show-stopping piece.”

Wood says he is working closely with Weaver. “He offered me the opportunity to be his assistant director for Nine. And the after seeing my work in Kiss of the Spider Woman, he asked me to be the assistant choreographer, as well.”

“Earl is most definitely a mentor. I’m also working on [next fall’s production of] Hair with him. �鶹ӳ����ý allows you to not just find mentors while at the school, but it helps build relationships with them that will throughout your life.”

School of Visual Arts and Design professor Stephen Schlow will join director Weaver for a post-show discussion on Friday, March 20. This musical contains sexual situations and is not suitable for young audiences.

Production at a glance:

Nine

Book by Arthur Kopit, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston

Directed by Earl D. Weaver

March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m.

March 22, 29 at 2 p.m.

$20 standard, $18 senior, $10 student

Main Stage, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando

407-823-1500

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For more information about Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý, visit .

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The Drowsy Chaperone made its Broadway debut in 2006, and won five Tony Awards. When a contemporary musical theatre enthusiast invites the audience to listen to his favorite Broadway cast album, the 1920’s romp springs to life with the first notes that leave his record player. The characters include a young starlet and her fiancé, an intoxicated chaperone, an aviatrix, and other eccentric individuals, drawing audiences into the interwoven storylines.

Director Earl D. Weaver says the show is “a silly, fun show, and meant to entertain.” The show pokes fun at the time period, he said, and at the same time points out some of the outrageous, politically incorrect antics of the era, like Caucasian actors portraying stereotypical Asian characters. “The show contains content that people may find offensive, but it’s intentional. It points out how we have evolved in the arts. Musicals from that era contained material that just isn’t acceptable anymore.”

Actors in the production have taken up the roles of two characters, that of the character in the cast recording and that of the actor portraying that character. Caitlin Doak, who is portraying the lead role of Janet, said: “The challenge is balancing the character of Janet van de Graff as well as the actress playing her, which is Jane Roberts. We have to figure out in the scene when is it that the actor portraying that character shines through and when it is just the character.”

Alex Bair, portraying the role of Man in Chair, the die-hard musical theatre enthusiast, said the most interesting thing of his character is “that he is so passionate about the recording of The Drowsy Chaperone. He starts off in a dark place in his life. Listening to the record and letting the show come to life is how he is really able to overcome that.”

There will be one guest appearance per performance. Guests include university officials, characters from past Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý productions, and community members. For patrons looking to see a particular guest, the box office has a list of guests and dates they will appear.

Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý will be partnering with students and faculty from Valencia College’s Sign Language Interpretation program for the Saturday, Nov. 2 performance. Patrons wishing to sit near the interpreters should make the request when purchasing their tickets. Group prices are available for 10 or more people.

Production at a glance

The Drowsy Chaperone

Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison

Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar

Directed by Earl Weaver

8 p.m.: Oct. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31

Nov. 1, 2

2 p.m.: Oct. 20, 27

Price: Standard $20, Senior $18, Student $10; Group discounts available

Box Office Phone: 407- 823-1500