2008 Theatre Archive

• February 1-3, 2008
• Supervised by Nina Haft & Eric Kupers
• (Univ. Theatre)

A theatre production which will showcase the choreography talents of the dance faculty of California State University, East Bay-will be performed by the university's dance, music and theatre students along with local professional companies, on three consecutive evenings.

• February 29, March 1, 7-9, 2008
• Book and lyrics by Greg Kotis
• Directed by Marc Jacobs
• Musical Director by Marianna Wolff
• Choreography by Eric Kupers is, and Angela Demmel
• (Univ. Theatre)

The politically conscious satire tells the story of a future world where water is so scarce, private bathrooms are outlawed and people have to pay to urinate. The tale is of greed, love and revolution in a time when flushing the toilet is considered a luxury, controlled by the Urine Good Company, which profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs.

• May 2-3, 2008
• Based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Adapted by Edward Mast
• Directed by Ann Fajilan
• (Univ. Theatre)

The fantasy, set in a time "between the dawn of Faerie and the Dominion of Men," follows the quest of home-loving Bilbo Baggins to win his share of the treasure guarded by the dragon, Smaug. His journey takes him from light-hearted, rural surroundings into darker, deeper territory, meeting various denizens along the way.

• May 30-31, June 1, 6-8, 2008
• (Studio Theatre)
• A program of culminating works by advanced student.

• July 25-26 2008
• By Lisa D'Amour
• Directed by Dawn Monique Williams
• (Univ. Theatre)

A ghost story for three bodies with three voices. Ten-year-old Anna Bella and her reclusive mother Irene live in a ratty trailer on the edge of town. When their trailer park is slated for demolition, Irene refuses to leave. In this moment of crisis, Anna Bella creates a new girl out of mud. This mud-girl helps Anna Bella and Irene channel the supernatural and face the life they must live in the world outside. A richly imagined tale of a fierce mother/daughter bond, spoken and sung by three women. This production will also show internationally in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

• August 8-9, 15-17, 2008
• Book by John Michael Tebelak
• Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
• Directed by Darryl V. Jones
• (Univ. Theatre)

A ghost story for three bodies with three voices. Ten-year-old Anna Bella and her reclusive mother Irene live in a ratty trailer on the edge of town. When their trailer park is slated for demolition, Irene refuses to leave. In this moment of crisis, Anna Bella creates a new girl out of mud. This mud-girl helps Anna Bella and Irene channel the supernatural and face the life they must live in the world outside. A richly imagined tale of a fierce mother/daughter bond, spoken and sung by three women. This production will also show internationally in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

• November 14-15, 21-23, 2008
• Written by Sam Shephard and Joseph Chaikin
• Directed by Eric Kupers
• (Univ. Theatre)

"Tongues" is a dance/theatre/music show written by Sam Shephard and Joseph Chaikin and directed by Eric Kupers, a member of the Cal State East Bay faculty. "Tongues" is performed with a multi-racial, intergenerational, physically integrated cast of dancers, actors and musicians - with and without disabilities - and investigates a flood of memories, emotions and insights during one man's last moments of life.

• December 5-6, 2008
• Produced by Nina Haft and Eric Kupers with the CSUEB dance faculty
• Show Choir produced and directed by Darryl V. Jones
• (PE 140)
• (Univ. Theatre)

Ice is an opportunity for the CSUEB community to come together and witness the passion, drive and talent of the CSUEB dance students. Dance classes of many different styles show what they've been working on all quarter and previews of what is to come later in the year in shows across campus. This is a high-energy night of spirited performances at all stages of development,” said Kupers. Haft added, "Dance Ensemble will share works in progress in a range of idioms, including original music theatre, contemporary dance theatre, Modern Middle Eastern Fusion, Latin Social Dance, lyrical hip hop, praise dance, and others. Eclectic Pulse, the CSUEB Dance Team, will also join us for this fun filled evening of diverse dance and entertainment." “This year we have an added gift. Our Show Choir, directed by Darryl V. Jones, joins the program with all-American musical theatre pizzazz that's sure to warm and excite hearts of all the family,” said Thomas Hird, Theatre and Dance professor and chair.

• December 12-13, 2008
• Written and directed by 2008 Theatre and Dance graduate Seth Thygesen
• (Univ. Theatre)

Is an all-new adaptation of the famous story about the boy who wouldn’t grow up and his adventures in the Never, Never Land with the Darling children, Tinker Bell, and the dread-pirate, Captain Hook. Written and directed by 2008 Theatre and Dance graduate Seth Thygesen, the production in the University Theatre retains the heart-felt moments of the original book set in an action-packed modern setting. “Creating a new version of something so familiar serves as a tall order for a college student. I'm looking forward to hearing the audience reaction to this ambitious project,” said Hird.