Sept. 19, 2011

The Department of Drama at The Catholic University of America announces its lineup of performances for the 2011-2012 academic year. All performances take place in the Hartke Theatre on CUA's campus, 3801 Harewood Road, N.E., Washington, D.C.

  • Oct. 13 - 16 - Tartuffe by Molière In one of the greatest cons of the 17th century, arch-hypocrite Tartuffe infiltrates the heart and family of Orgon under the religious cloak of piety. Scheming to marry his benefactor's daughter, seduce his wife, and gain his fortune, Tartuffe reveals the perils of hypocrisy and gullibility within us all. The play is translated by Richard Wilbur and directed by Eleanor Holdridge, assistant professor and head of CUA M.F.A. directing program.
  • Nov. 17 - 20 - Premiere of a New Play : The Language of Infinity by Rachel K Barclay, M.F.A. playwriting thesis production How far does The Language of Infinity stretch? In the Porter home there exists an infinite balancing of scientific genius and mountainous personalities...and the family secret may be the world's greatest achievement! The play is directed by Kasi Campbell, associate director of theatre at Howard Community College, freelance stage director at regional theatres.
  • Feb. 16 - 19 and 24 - 25 - Premiere of a New Play : Alien Invader by Frank DiSalvo Jr, M.F.A. playwriting thesis production Four adopted siblings' relationships are brought to the breaking point in surprising and hilarious ways in this dark comedy about the meaning of family, the conflict over selling the old family home, and the search for The Worst Video Game Ever Made. The play is directed by Tom Prewitt, freelance stage director at regional theatres.
  • Feb. 17 - 18 and 23 - 26 - The Mystery Plays by Robert Aquirre-Sacasa
  • These two interrelated one-acts, based on medieval mystery plays but infused with the eerie sensibilities of the modern American horror genre, offer an edge-of-your-seats experience as they explore the unexplainable which exists within all life, death, faith, and forgiveness. The play is directed by Sasha Brätt, M.F.A. directing candidate.
  • April 19 - 21 and April 21- 22 - The Crucible by Arthur Miller When a group of teenage girls accuse others in 1692 Salem, Mass., of witchcraft to cover up their own forbidden pursuits, the town erupts with allegations of satanic activity and hysteria. The arrests and trials that follow expose a community paralyzed by fear, religious extremism, and greed. The play is directed by Bill Largess, producing artistic director of Washington Stage Guild.

Tickets: $15 full price, $8 for senior citizens and CUA alumni/faculty/staff, and $5 for students. Performance times on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings are 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees are 2 p.m.

For more information on the season and to purchase individual tickets and season subscriptions, call 202-319-4000 or visit http://drama.cua.edu/hartke-season.cfm . Individuals requesting accommodations for disabilities should contact cua-access@cua.edu .

SPONSOR: Department of Drama