SSU Dept. of Theatre Arts & Dance's 2015-16 Season to Feature INTO THE WOODS & More

The Sonoma State University Department of Theatre Arts & Dance has announced its 2015-16 performance season (including five main stage productions) showcasing the emerging talents of SSU students studying theater arts, dance and music.

The season kicks off with "Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party," a wild political farce; "The Hummingbird Wars," a new suburban satire; "Into the Woods," Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award winning musical; "Hamlet," considered Shakespeare's greatest play; and two cutting edge dance concerts.

The Department also reintroduces "$5 Friends & Family Night" for select Thursdays (and two Friday) evening performances with $5 admission for all ticket buyers (regularly $10-$17). SSU faculty and staff receive free admission at these performances. Sonoma State University students are admitted free to all productions with valid student ID. In addition, three free 10 a.m. matinees are scheduled this season for visiting school groups. Sonoma State University is located at 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, Calif. For tickets or more information call the box office at 707-664-4246 or visit the website at www.sonoma.edu/tix

The Sonoma State University Department of Theatre Arts & Dance 2015-16 Season features the following productions:

Oct. 15 to Oct. 24, 2015
"Abraham Lincoln's Big, Gay Dance Party"
By Aaron Loeb / Directed by Doyle Ott
Evert B. Person Theatre
As the 2016 presidential campaign gets underway, SSU's Dept. of Theatre Arts & Dance presents this thought provoking political farce. When Honest Abe is "outed" in a re-imagined grade school Christmas pageant, controversy and chaos engulf a small Illinois town. Big-city reporters and Congressional candidates descend and family secrets are exposed. Audience members choose the order of the play, while top hats and beards abound in this hilarious, poignant, timely look at prejudice past and present. Tickets are $10 to $17. SSU students admitted free with ID. "$5 Friends & Family Night" Thursday, Oct. 22.
Information on line at:
http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/lincoln.html Nov. 5 to Nov. 15, 2015
"The Hummingbird Wars"
By Carter Lewis / Directed by Judy Navas
Ives Hall, Studio 76
Carter Lewis's new play captures the outrageous and harrowing extremes of life in the suburbs when a family man fights against middle-class extinction and 21st Century technology. Tickets are $10 to $17. SSU students admitted free with ID. "$5 Friends & Family Night" Thursday, Nov. 12.
Information on line at: http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/hummingbird.html

Nov. 13 to Nov. 15, 2015
"7th Annual Super Mega Molten Hot Lava New Play Festival"
Written by Sonoma State University Students / Curated by Scott Horstein
Studio 76, Ives Hall
Playwrights of tomorrow are featured with script-in-hand readings of their new short plays and longer works from the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance Playwriting Program. Tickets $6 for all performances. SSU students admitted free with ID.
Information online at:
http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/mega-2015.html

Dec. 3 to Dec. 6, 2015
"Fall Dance Concert 2015 - Heart & Soul"
Original Student Choreography
Directed by Nichele Van Portfleet
Evert B. PersonTheatre
Fearless, new and cutting edge, SSU's talented dance artists perform "Heart" and "Soul," a two-part presentation of explosive dance shows guaranteed to keep audiences on the edge of their seat. Full of raw energy, movement and emotion, the Fall Dance Concert includes a broad range of dance genres - including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and ballet pieces. Tickets are $10 to $17. SSU students admitted free with ID. Featuring two "$5 Friends & Family Nights" on Thursday, Dec. 3 and Friday, Dec. 4.
Information online at:
http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/fall-dance2015.html

Feb. 4 to Feb. 14, 2016
"Into the Woods"
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim / Book by James Lapine
Co-produced by Departments of Music and Theatre Arts & Dance
Music Direction by Lynne Morrow / Stage Direction by Marty Pistone
Evert B. Person Theatre
What begins as a lively retelling of familiar stories, becomes a moving lesson about what we teach our children. This Tony Award winning musical is a fractured fairytale revealing what happens to iconic characters after they live "happily ever after." Tickets are $10 to $17. SSU students admitted free with ID. "$5 Friends & Family Night" Thursday, Feb. 11.
Information online at: http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/into_the_woods.html

March 30 to April 7, 2016
"Spring Dance Concert 2016"
Directed by Kristen Daley and Christine Cali
Evert B. Person Theatre
SSU's Dance faculty members Kristen Daley and Christine Cali present electric and inspiring new works along with Eric Handman (University of Utah) and other guest artists. This dance spectacular also features a unique US-Korean collaborative performance made possible by a grant from the GMC Academic Integration Fund. Tickets are $10 to $17. SSU students admitted free with ID. "$5 Friends & Family Night" Friday, April 1.
Information online at: http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/spring_dance2016.html

May 3 to May 8, 2016
"Hamlet"
By William Shakespeare / Directed by Paul Draper
Evert B. Person Theatre
Shakespeare's tragedy tells the tale of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, bent on revenge after learning his uncle has killed his father with plans to ascend the throne. Encouraged by the ghost of his dead father, Hamlet plans to overthrow the old guard and install a new reality of the young. Tickets are $10 to $17. SSU students admitted free with ID. "$5 Friends & Family Night" Thursday, May 5.
Information online at:
http://www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/hamlet.html IF YOU GO:

LOCATION: Sonoma State University
1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Evert B. Person Theatre and Ives Hall are accessed through the main entrance to Sonoma State University.

PARKING:
From the South entrance on East Cotati Avenue, turn right at the stop sign in front of the information kiosk. Park in Lots E (left) and F (right). Parking in SSU lots is $5 at all times. Permits may be purchased from the vending machines located at the entrance to parking lots, or at toll booths when available. FREE school bus parking is available in Lot N, near the Green Music Center.

TICKET PRICES: Admission prices from $5 to $17. Sonoma State University students are admitted free to all productions with valid student ID. Tickets are $10 non-SSU students and seniors; $15 Sonoma State University Faculty and Staff; and $17 standard admission. "$5 Friends & Family Night" on select Thursdays (and two Fridays) feature $5 admission for all ticket buyers. SSU faculty and staff receive free admission at these performances.

PHONE / BOX OFFICE: 707-664-4246
The box office is located on the first floor of the Student Center. On performance nights, depending on the venue, the Person Theatre or Ives Hall box office will open one hour prior to the event start time. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and one hour prior to all performances. Contact the box office at 707-664-4246 or email tickets@sonoma.edu

WEB SITE: www.sonoma.edu/tix