Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams announced the Riverland’s 2019-2020 lineup today. The new season will present a variety of plays and musicals, including a world premiere of a new play by a local playwright to be performed at both the Austin and Albert Lea campuses.

The season opens Oct. 4 with the play Wilson’s Girl: Unpacking the Beef in a Minnesota Town by Eva Barr. In this World Premiere, local Minnesota playwright Barr adapts Cheri Register’s 2001 memoir Packinghouse Daughter about coming of age in Albert Lea during the 1959 Wilson’s meatpacking plant strike. The play spans the inciting moments of the strike to the violence and divisiveness that resulted, but it is Register’s personal awakening to the meaning of class in her life as the daughter of a blue-collar worker that provides the universal hook. As Register’s grandfather might have put it, class is one of those “disquieting” subjects that applies to us all.  In a first for Riverland Theatre, this play will be performed in nontraditional spaces at both the Austin and Albert Lea campuses. Wilson’s Girl will be directed by Susan V. Hansen, Riverland Theatre faculty. Parents should be advised that some material in Wilson’s Girl may not be appropriate for children.

The fall season continues on Nov. 20 with the musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. If you thought you knew the story of The Princess and The Pea, you may be in for a walloping surprise. This modern interpretation not only puts a twist on the well-known fairy tale but also brings a new perspective to the classic musical comedy. Prince Dauntless hasn’t had any luck finding a bride, until along comes the unconventional Princess Winnifred—but can she pass the test? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking story of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again. Once Upon a Mattress will be directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams and may not be appropriate for children.

On Feb. 26, Riverland Theatre returns to the classics with the popular comedy The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. The Importance of Being Earnest has proven to be Oscar Wilde’s most enduring—and endearing—play. Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. Filled with witty Victorian aphorisms and Wilde’s own brand of wisdom, The Importance of Being Earnest remains one of theatre’s most popular comedies. The play will be directed by Susan V. Hansen. Parents should be advised that The Importance of Being Earnest may not be appropriate for all ages.

The season finishes in late April, early May with the new musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, with music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery. Named one of The New York Times’ best shows of 2017, As You Like It is an immersive, dream-like tale of faithful friends, feuding families, and lovers in disguise. Forced from their homes, Orlando, Duke Senior, his daughter Rosalind and niece Celia escape to the Forest of Arden, a fantastical place of transformation where the refugees find community and acceptance under the stars. Featuring an original folk-pop score by acclaimed singer-songwriter Shaina Taub and adapted from William Shakespeare’s original text, As You Like It celebrates the power of community and love. Williams will direct and suggests that some material may not be appropropriate for younger audiences.

 “We are so excited to be presenting a season that is challenging, thought-provoking, and fun, and that will offer some new experiences to our audiences” Williams said. “This is the first time that Riverland Theatre has collaborated with a local playwright, Eva Barr, on the world premiere of a new play that examines our local history. The play was written to be performed in a non-traditional theatre space, and so we are excited to be taking this production out of the Frank W. Bridges Theatre and into new and unexpected places on campus. This will also mark the first time that we’ve performed a play on the Albert Lea campus. It seemed the perfect opportunity to do so, since this particular play deals with an important chapter in Albert Lea’s history.”

“I’m also very excited about our production of As You Like It,” continued Williams. “We always welcome members of our community to audition for our productions, but we understand that sometimes participation can be difficult due to the time commitment. We want to make theatre accessible to everyone, so we’ll be including a ‘community chorus’ in this production that will give our community members the opportunity to participate in a show without the extreme time commitment. We hope to partner with local organizations to break down the barriers to participation and put together a cast that reflects the diversity of our community.”

Season Ticket subscriptions to Riverland’s 2019-2020 season are $50 and are on sale through Oct. 13.  Individual tickets to each of the four productions will go on sale Sept. 9, 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. 9.  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 Once Upon a Mattress and As You Like It are $16, and $13 for Wilson’s Girl and The Importance of Being Earnest. 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 2019-2020 Riverland Theatre Season Up-Close:

Wilson’s Girl: Unpacking the Beef in a Minnesota Town
Adapted for the stage by Eva Barr from the memoir Packinghouse Daughter by Cheri Register
Directed by Susan V. Hansen
Oct. 4, 5 at 7 p.m., Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. – Austin West Cafeteria
Oct. 11, 12 at 7 p.m., Oct. 13 @ 2:00 pm – Albert Lea Commons

In this World Premiere, local Minnesota playwright Eva Barr adapts Cheri Register's 2001 memoir about coming of age in Albert Lea, MN during the 1959 Wilson's meatpacking plant strike. The play spans the inciting moments of the strike to the violence and divisiveness that resulted, but it is Register's personal awakening to the meaning of class in her life as the daughter of a blue-collar worker that provides the universal hook. As Register's grandfather might have put it, class is one of those "disquieting" subjects that applies to us all.  In a first for Riverland Theatre, this play will be performed in nontraditional spaces on both the Austin and Albert Lea campuses.

Parent Advisory: Parents should be advised that some material in Wilson’s Girl may not be appropriate for children.

Once Upon a Mattress
Music by Mary Rodgers, Lyrics by Marshall Barer, Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer
Directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams
Nov. 20, 21, 22, 23 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.

If you thought you knew the story of The Princess and The Pea, you may be in for a walloping surprise. This modern interpretation not only puts a twist on the well-known fairy tale but also brings a new perspective to the classic musical comedy. Prince Dauntless hasn’t had any luck finding a bride, until along comes the unconventional Princess Winnifred—but can she pass the test? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking story of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again.

Parental Advisory:  Some material may not be appropriate for children.

The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Susan V. Hansen
Feb. 26, 27, 28, 29 at 7 p.m.; March 1 at 2 p.m.

The Importance of Being Earnest has proven to be Oscar Wilde’s most enduring—and endearing—play. Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. Filled with witty Victorian aphorisms and Wilde’s own brand of wisdom, The Importance of Being Earnest remains one of theatre’s most popular comedies.

Parent Advisory: Some material many not be appropriate for children

As You Like It
Music and Lyrics by Shaina Taub, Adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery
Directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams
April 23, 24, 25, 30, May 1 at 7 p.m.; May 2 at 2 p.m.

Named one of The New York Times’ best shows of 2017, As You Like It is an immersive, dream-like tale of faithful friends, feuding families, and lovers in disguise. Forced from their homes, Orlando, Duke Senior, his daughter Rosalind and niece Celia escape to the Forest of Arden, a fantastical place of transformation where the refugees find community and acceptance under the stars. Featuring an original folk-pop score by Taub and adapted from William Shakespeare’s original text, As You Like It celebrates the power of community and love.

Parent Advisory: Some material many not be appropriate for children

Curtain times for all evening theatre performances now begin at 7 p.m. and all Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m.