University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

Theatre Arts announces shows for season

UND Theatre Arts has released the the shows which will play this season.

Grace, by Craig Wright, directed by Brett Olson, is set for Oct. 1-5, 7:30 p.m. in the Burtness Lab Theatre.

Grace is a tragicomedy that explores human assumptions about how God, goodness, faith and causality operate in the cosmic machinery. Steve and Sara have relocated to Sunrise, Fla., to pursue an unbelievably wonderful business deal, but as the deal slowly unravels and Steve finds himself afflicted with an itch that just won’t stop, Sara finds herself increasingly drawn to their next-door neighbor, Sam, a badly-scarred victim of a recent car accident who wants nothing to do with her or her Bible-quoting husband. In the end, with a little help from an old German exterminator who’s still angry about the Allied bombing of Hamburg in World War II, all three characters are confronted by a world that’s both better and worse than any religion can justify. (DPS)

Sweeney Todd, music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, directed by Egla Hassan (guest artist), Nov. 14-16 and 21-23, 7:30 p.m., Burtness Theatre

In an infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up… and the carnage has only just begun!

Pump Boys and Dinettes, music, lyrics and book by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann, directed by Emily Cherry, Feb. 27-29 and March 5-7, 7:30 p.m., Empire Arts Center.

Pump Boys and Dinettes will be performed at the Empire Arts Center in Downtown Grand Forks.

The “Pump Boys” sell high octane on Highway 57 in Grand Ole Opry country and the “Dinettes,” Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, run the Double Cupp diner next door. Together they fashion an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on and off-Broadway. (Samuel French)

She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen, directed Brett Olson,  April 21-25, 7:30 p.m., Burtness Theatre.

A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, acclaimed young playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all. (Samuel French)

Online Box Office
UND Theatre Arts now offers an online box office. Our patrons will be able to order individual show tickets, season ticket packages, and other special packages. Tickets will be available on smart phones, printed at home, or picked up at the box office. You can still visit the box office in Burtness Theatre or call 701-777-2587 two weeks prior to a shows opening if that is more convenient. To purchase tickets online, please go to burtness.und.edu.

New and convenient parking
New, more convenient, parking is now available adjacent to the Burtness Theatre, and will be reserved for patrons on show nights. The new parking arrangements include accessible parking at the front of the new parking area and a sidewalk from the parking area directly to the front door of the theatre.

We know you will enjoy these new improvements to the theatre experience at the University of North Dakota and we are happy to provide them for our dedicated audience. Our exceptional students, and dedicated faculty and staff are excited to bring you another outstanding season of theatre at UND. We can’t wait to see you this season.