Inside Iowa State

Aug. 12, 2005

ISU Theatre announces fall schedule

by Samantha Beres

Dramas inspired by Dahl and Dickens, as well as a contemporary play will be presented by ISU Theatre this fall.

ISU Theatre hasn't done a children's play in 20 years and James and the Giant Peach will open the season in early October. James Henry Trotter is sent to live with his two cruel aunts after a rhinoceros eats his parents. To survive, he creates a fantasy world. The drama is based on the book by Roald Dahl (also author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).

In November, The Pavilion will run. This play, written by Craig Wright, also a writer for the HBO series Six Feet Under, was second in line for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for drama. Main characters Peter and Kari are old flames who meet again at their 20-year high school reunion. Peter tries to win Kari back after leaving her in the lurch 20 years ago. All eyes are on the couple as they relive the consequences of their actions from long ago.

An all-time classic, A Christmas Carol, adapted from the Charles Dickens novel by professor of theater Jane Cox, will run in December. Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is sharing his views on work and money with his nephew and an employee, Bob Cratchit. Later that night, Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, all of whom try to bring him to redemption.

The 2005 fall ISU Theatre season includes:

• James and the Giant Peach: Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7 & 8 - 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 2 & 9 - 2 p.m.
• The Pavilion: Nov. 4, 5, 11 & 12 - 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 6 & 13 - 2 p.m.
• A Christmas Carol: Dec. 1, 2, 3, 9 & 10 - 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 4 & 11 - 2 p.m.

All performances will be held in the Fisher Theater. Tickets for each show are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and children. ISU Theatre tickets are available at the Iowa State Center Ticket office at 4-3347.

ISU Theatre's fall lineup opens with James and the Giant Peach on Sept. 30.