Riverland Season features three shows never performed at Bridges Theatre and one original work adapted by a Riverland instructor

Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams announced the Theatre Department’s 2017-2018 season today. This season will present a variety of plays and musicals, including three shows that have never before been performed at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre and one original world premiere work.

The season opens Oct. 4 with the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Karel Capek, adapted by Susan V. Hansen, a Riverland faculty member. In 1921, Czech writer Karel Capek introduced the word “robot” to the world in the science fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). Almost 100 years later, as humans have become completely reliant on artificial intelligence, technology, and automation, this play rings more truthful than science fiction. In a factory that makes artificial people from synthetic organic matter, “robots” may be mistaken for humans and can think for themselves. You need to be powerful to control the robots, and the robots give you power… unless they turn on you.  R.U.R. is rated “PG” and will be directed by Hansen. 

The fall season continues on Nov. 15 with the musical comedy She Loves Me with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joe Masteroff. Set in a 1930s European perfumery, shop clerks Amalia and Georg don't see eye to eye. After both respond to a “lonely hearts” advertisement in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Inspired by the classic film The Shop Around the Corner (which also served as the inspiration for the hit film You’ve Got Mail), She Loves Me is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance. She Loves Me will be directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams and is rated “PG.”

In a first for Riverland Theatre, the spring season will open with a new play created by students, faculty and community members that addresses the topic of immigration in our local community.  Through the lens of theatre, we will explore the stories, cultures, and experiences of the people from around the globe who now call Austin, Minnesota home. We welcome all members of the community to join us by participating in this unique and personal theatre project. Hansen will direct this piece, which we are temporarily calling the Untitled Immigration Project. More information on how our community can contribute to the creation of this new work will be unveiled later this fall.

The season finishes with the Broadway musical Avenue Q with music and lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez and a book by Jeff Whitty. This laugh-out-loud Best Musical Tony Award winner tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score by the composer of Disney’s Frozen and The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q is a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned. Williams will direct Avenue Q, which is rated “R” for adult humor and situations.

“I am so excited about this season’s variety of shows.  R.U.R. is an incredibly timely piece of theatre that I think will resonate with modern audiences despite how long ago it was written, Williams said. She Loves Me is simply one of the most charming and funny musical comedies ever written, and I’m surprised in our fifty years of shows at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre it has never been produced here.  Avenue Q is a show that we’ve received lots of requests to do.  It is one of the funniest comedies to be performed on Broadway in the 21^st century, and I can’t wait for our audiences to see it.”

“I think the most exciting part of our season announcement is the Untitled Immigration Project,” said Williams. “I had this idea last year to create a new work based on stories from our community, and I’m so thrilled that Susan Hansen has jumped on board.  We wanted to include something in our season that would engage our audiences in a topic that is personal and immediate to them, and I think this will be a wonderful way to include more diverse voices on our stage and explore a subject that is meaningful to Austin and Riverland. This is a first for our theatre department, so we will announce a title for the project and more details as the work on it progresses.  We will be holding an informational meeting in early fall to brainstorm and gather ideas from the community, so keep an eye out for that announcement.”

Season Ticket subscriptions to Riverland’s 2017-2018 season are $50 and are on sale through Oct. 8.  Individual tickets to each of the four productions will go on sale Sept. 5, when the box office officially opens for the season.    Tickets are available for purchase online at www.riverland.edu/tickets, or in person and by phone after Sept. 5.  To purchase a season ticket or to receive more information, call the Riverland Theatre Box Office at (507) 433-0595, email boxoffice@riverland.edu, or visit the web site and download the brochure at www.riverland.edu/theatre. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Individual ticket prices for She Loves Me and Avenue Q are $16, and $13 for R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) and Untitled Immigration Project. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each production.

Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists.  Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.

The 2017-2018 Riverland Theatre Season Up-Close:

R.U.R. (ROSSUM’S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS)
By Karel Capek, Adapted by Susan V. Hansen
Directed by Susan V. Hansen
Oct. 4, 5, 6, 7 at 7:00 p.m.; October 8 a 2 p.m.

In 1921, Czech writer Karel Capek introduced the word “robot” to the world in the science fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots). Almost 100 years later, as humans have become completely reliant on artificial intelligence, technology, and automation, this play rings more truthful than science fiction. In a factory that makes artificial people from synthetic organic matter, “robots” may be mistaken for humans and can think for themselves. You need to be powerful to control the robots, and the robots give you power… unless they turn on you.
Rated PG

SHE LOVES ME
Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Book by Joe Masteroff
Directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams
November 15, 16, 17, 18 at 7 p.m.; November 19 at 2 p.m.
Set in a 1930s European perfumery, shop clerks Amalia and Georg don't see eye to eye. After both respond to a "lonely hearts” advertisement in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Inspired by the classic film The Shop Around the Corner (which also served as the inspiration for the hit film You’ve Got Mail), She Loves Me is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance.
Rated PG

UNTITLED IMMIGRATION PROJECT—A work in progress
Directed by Susan V. Hansen
February 28, March 1, 2, 3 at 7 p.m.; March 4 at 2 p.m.
In a first for Riverland Theatre, students, faculty and community members will work together to create a new play that addresses the topic of immigration in our local community.  Through the lens of theatre, we will explore the stories, cultures, and experiences of the people from around the globe who now call Austin, Minnesota home. We welcome all members of the community to join us by participating in this unique and personal theatre project.
Rating TBD

AVENUE Q
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez, Book by Jeff Whitty
Directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams
April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 7 p.m.; April 29 at 2 p.m.

This laugh-out-loud Best Musical Tony Award-winner tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score by the composer of Disney’s Frozen and The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q is a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned.
Rated “R” for adult humor and situations.

Audition Information for R.U.R. and She Loves Me:

Auditions for R.U.R. and She Loves Me will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 22 and 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All auditions are held at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Austin Campus, East Building. Actors will be given sides to read from the show and, if auditioning for She Loves Me, music and a short dance combination will be taught. Although Riverland students are given priority in casting, auditions for all Riverland theatre department productions are open to the public.  Contact Lindsey Williams at 507-434-7390 or Lindsey.Williams@riverland.edu for more information.