Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams announced the Theatre Department’s 2015-2016 season today. This year's season presents everything from classic comedies to modern dramas on the Riverland stage.

The season opens Oct. 7 with the musical Into the Woods, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. Fairy tales collide when Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, a childless baker and his wife all head into the woods to pursue their wishes. Along the way, the characters discover that wishes are rarely as simple as they seem as the consequences of their actions return to haunt them. Recently made into a popular Disney film, Into the Woods is a rare modern-day classic that continues to challenge and entertain us. Into the Woods is suggested for ages 10 and up and will be directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams.

The fall season continues with Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel, playing Nov. 18-22. This extraordinary play tells the story of five unmarried sisters eking out their lives in a small village in Ireland in 1936. Their spare existence is interrupted by brief, colorful bursts of music from the radio, their only link to the romance and hope of the world at large. When two unexpected visitors arrive, the past and present collide and begin to destroy the foundation of the family forever. Winner of the 1992 Tony Award, this haunting play is Friel's tribute to the spirit and valor of the past. Dancing at Lughnasa will be directed by Riverland Theatre faculty member Susan V. Hansen and is suggested for ages 10 and up.

The classic William Shakespeare comedy Much Ado About Nothing will be the first production of 2016, opening on Feb. 24. One of the most popular and charming of Shakespeare’s comedies, Much Ado About Nothing features the original “battle of the sexes” couple: Benedick, an arrogant and confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his favorite sparring partner. While Beatrice and Benedick hide their infatuation beneath witty barbs, young love blossoms as Hero and Claudio race to the altar. When the wicked Don John conspires to break up the wedding, will false accusations and misunderstandings prevent the young couple’s happy ending? Witty wordplay, passionate poetry and clever plot twists make this the perfect romantic evening. Susan V. Hansen directs Much Ado About Nothing, which is suggested for ages 10 and up.

The season finishes with the Broadway musical Young Frankenstein, with book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and featuring music and lyrics by Mel Brooks. It’s alive! Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick and a leggy lab assistant, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original film as it will be to newcomers, Young Frankenstein has all the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair. Susan V. Hansen directs, and the musical is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams says, “I’m thrilled that we are able to present such a diverse range of productions in our season this year. Into the Woods is certainly an audience favorite, but it also provides a wonderful challenge to our students, and I’m very excited to be directing it. Our other musical, Young Frankenstein, is one that has never been presented at Riverland before. Our audiences might remember the fantastic Alumni Show production of Mel Brooks’ The Producers a few years back; I’m sure they’ll enjoy this show just as much.”

“Dancing at Lughnasa is a beautiful and moving show, and one that I’m excited for our audiences to see,” continued Williams. “It’s another play that’s never been produced here at Riverland before. And, of course, we’re very excited to be including a Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing, in our season this year. 2016 is the 400^th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, so it seems a fitting time to pay tribute to his work.”

Season Ticket subscriptions to Riverland’s 2015-2016 season are $50 and are on sale now through Oct. 11. Individual tickets to each of the four productions will go on sale September 8, 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. 8. 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 Into the Woods and Young Frankenstein are $16, and $13 for Dancing at Lughnasa and Much Ado About Nothing. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each production.

Audition Information for Into the Woods and Dancing at Lughnasa:

Auditions for Into the Woods will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 25 and 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Auditions for Dancing at Lughnasa will be held Thursday, Aug. 27 from 6 to 8 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 Into the Woods, music 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 email Lindsey.Williams@riverland.edu for more information.