TheatreUNCA Announces 2003-2004 Season

TheatreUNCA, the UNC Asheville Drama Department’s laboratory for student artists, will present three productions during the 2003-2004 season. All shows are open to the public and will be held in UNCA’s Carol Belk Theatre. Curtain is 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets for all performances are $10 general admission, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for students.

Ed Graczyk’s "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" will be staged October 1-5 under the direction of Laura Facciponti, UNCA assistant professor of drama. Set in Texas, a group of women reunite in their hometown to hold a 20-year reunion of their James Dean fan club. In 1955, they were an excited group of high school graduates who eagerly anticipated their hero’s arrival in a nearby town to film "Giant." As the story unfolds, the friends reminisce fondly about the past, but when a mysterious woman arrives, a series of shocking revelations threatens to ruin the reunion.

"The Music Lesson" will take center stage from November 19-23. This emotionally charged play explores the healing power of music even when confronted with the horrors of war. A middle-aged couple escape the siege of Sarajevo to move to Pittsburgh to teach music. One understands the necessity of moving on into the future to survive, but the other wants a release from the past where one of her prize piano students was killed in the war. "The Music Lesson" is written by Tammy Ryan and is directed by Rob Storrs, UNCA adjunct professor of drama.

"The Frankenstein Project," an original script by UNCA drama faculty and students, will be presented April 15-18 and April 21-25. Under the direction of Scott Walters, UNCA assistant professor of drama, the production is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel of creation and responsibility.

Throughout the year there will also be student-directed projects in addition to the mainstage productions. The seventh annual Haunted Theatre is among these special events. Held October 24-31, this popular Halloween tradition transforms UNCA's Carol Belk Theatre into a house of horrors filled with ghouls and other surprises. The Haunted Theatre is sponsored by UNCA’s student chapter of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology. Proceeds will benefit the group’s trip to the national conference next spring. Times and ticket prices will be announced later this fall

Because of the intimate size of UNCA's Carol Belk Theatre and often heavy demand for tickets, advance purchase is strongly advised. Beginning the Thursday before each performance, tickets may be ordered by phone by calling 828/232-2291 between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Tickets are also available at the box office 90 minutes before curtain and online.

For more information about productions, a flexible season pass or becoming a Friend of TheatreUNCA, call UNCA’s Drama Department at 828/251-6610.

Media Contacts:

• Patricia Snoyer, UNCA Associate Professor of Drama, 828/251-6940
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526