WILMINGTON — From romance, to fate, to comedic spiritual séances, the UNCW Department of Theatre’s 2024-2025 mainstage season offers audiences a variety of stories spanning four shows to enjoy, including the department’s first musical on the mainstage.
The first play to take stage is “Everybody,” a modern take on the 15th century play, “Everybody,” running from Sept. 26 to 29 and Oct. 3 to 6. The unique performances will focus on a single character, “Everyone,” who will be selected on stage by lottery and will embark on a contemplative comedic journey based on chance.
The play is written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and will be directed by Elizabeth Wellman.
Following “Everybody,” audiences can go back in time with “Head Over Heels,” a jukebox musical featuring songs from the 1980s all-girl rock band The Go-Go’s. Mark D. Sorensen and Nancy Podrasky Carson will direct the musical, adapted by James Magruder and conceived by Jeff Whitty, both known for their work on Broadway hits “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Avenue Q” and “Spring Awakening.”
The comedy follows a royal family’s journey to save their kingdom from extinction and features tracks such as “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips are Sealed,” “Vacation,” and Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You.” The play will run from Nov. 14 to 17 and Nov. 21 to 24.
Classic theater fans can also enjoy William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” from Feb. 13 to 16 and 20 to 23, directed by Christopher Marino. The age-old romance tells the story of two young lovers torn apart by their warring families, and their untimely ends.
Lastly, Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” will also tell a love story, though one of the lovers is a ghost. A British theater favorite, “Blithe Spirit” is a comedy about Charles, a novelist visited by the spirit of his ex-wife, which has potentially disastrous effects on his current marriage. Ed Wagenseller is set to direct and will run from April 3 to 6 and 10 to 13.
Tickets will be available on the Arts at UNCW website, or the Kenan Box Office on campus. They can also be purchased an hour before the show; they are $15 for the public, $12 for seniors and $6 for students, UNCW employees and alumni.
Sign language is also available for the event by requests made at least two weeks prior to the event and accommodation for disabilities may be requested at least two business days in advance by calling (910) 962-3500.
All productions will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
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