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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Theatre Department Presents "A Season of Fragile Innocence"

September 23, 2015

OBU Theatre will take patrons through "A Season of Fragile Innocence" during the 2014-15 theatre season.

Pictured above, an OBU Theatre performance in February of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Dr. Jeffrey Wells, associate professor of theatre and division chair of communication arts, is anxiously anticipating the season. "The meaningful nature of this season's productions is both exciting and remarkable. While spanning eras, topics, and genres, these works remind us of innocence as a human condition and the fragility of that beautiful stage of life."

Wells selected the theme "A Season of Fragile Innocence" to draw together the commonalities in the three works. "We approach this season from the perspective that part of the human condition is our penchant to take our innocence for granted," he said. "The childlike nature we are born with is a beautiful, fragile gift - we must cherish it."

"Much Ado About Nothing," by William Shakespeare, will be directed by senior Stephen Kerr from Moore, Oklahoma, and Carly Conklin, former interim Director of Theatre at St. Gregory's University. The witty and heartbreaking comedy placed in a modern setting against the backdrop of political candidates returning from the campaign trail will premiere in the Craig-Dorland Theatre Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The show will also run Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 8-9 at 2:30 p.m. and Nov. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m.

"Radium Girls," written by D.W. Gregory, will be the first production of 2015. Directed by Julie Studstill, a senior from Arlington, Texas, "Radium Girls," tells the story of Grace Fryer, a woman who fell ill after working in a factory where she painted watch dials with radium, as she fights for her day in court. The show makes its OBU debut in Sarkeys Black Box Theater March 27 at 7:30 p.m. March 28 will have two performances, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. The last showing will be March 29 at 2:30 p.m.

"The Glass Menagerie," by Tennessee Williams will end the theatre season with shows in Craig-Dorland Theatre April 30-May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and May 2 and 3 at 2:30 p.m. Directed by Dr. Jeffrey Wells, associate professor of theatre and division chair of communication arts, "The Glass Menagerie" is a semi-autobiographical American classic which takes audience members into the middle of three fragile family members struggling to maintain innocence, independence and fulfillment.

Season tickets for all three productions are available to adults for $27 and students for $12. Tickets to individual performances go on sale two weeks prior to show opening and are $11 for adults and $5 for students.