Guest Artist Launch
Tied
By Alumna Crystal Rae
Directed by Guest Artist, Warren Jackson
In 1963 the world lost “4 Little Girls” in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Daniel, devoted husband and father, loses his youngest daughter to this tragedy. This one-man play is being presented in a staged reading performance with ACU alumni representing the many versions of this father’s journey. Brilliantly, woven together, Crystal Rae writes with poetry and truth. She brings hope in the midst of heartache.
Sept 9-10, 2021
Fulks Theatre @ 7:30 p.m.
Talkback with ACU Theatre Alumna Crystal Rae both nights following the performance
Free Admission
Recommended for ages 16 and up
Homecoming Musical
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Choreography by Lily Balogh
Directed by Broadway Guest Artist Jesse Galvan
Musical Direction: Dr. Chris Hollingsworth
One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors. Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family. Full orchestra, conducted by our very own Dr. Steven Ward!
Oct 15-16, 2021 at 8 p.m.; Oct 17, 2021 at 2 p.m.
Abilene Convention Center
Tickets range in price from $30 for Balcony seating – $45 for Floor seating (Student Rush is $15)
*OPEN SEATING*
Recommended for all ages
Cornerstone Comedy
God’s Favorite
Written by Neil Simon
Directed by Adam Hester
Successful Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin is a modern-day ‘Job’ with a demanding wife, ungrateful children, and wise-cracking household employees. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, he is visited by Sidney Lipton, a.k.a. A Messenger from God (and compulsive film buff) with a mission: test Joe’s faith and report back to “the Boss.” The jokes and Tests of Faith fly fast and furious as Neil Simon spins a contemporary morality tale like no other in this hilarious comedy.
November 15-20, 2021
*Talkback following each performance
Fulks Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $25
*OPEN SEATING*
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Dance Premiere
Dances of Courage
Directed by Lily Balogh
with original choreography by select students
Dances of Courage emerges as a celebration of movement, music and a God-given art form. Lily Balogh has invited student choreographers to create distinct, powerful pieces reflecting courage, love and light as we dance into the world. The result is an inspiring production of creative energy that erupts into a joyous celebration of life. Lead choreography is by New York City Ballet Guest Artist, Lily Balogh.
December 10, 2021 (Film launch)
DANCE FILM
Winter Musical
The Light in the Piazza
Book by Craig Lucas
Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel
Directed by Adam Hester
Musical Direction: Dr. Chris Hollingsworth
The Light in the Piazza whisks audiences away to Italy to experience a soaring tale of passion, forgiveness, and love. Margaret Johnson travels to Tuscany with her daughter Clara. When a handsome young Florentine captures Clara’s heart, Margaret must decide if she’ll risk revealing truths that could threaten her daughter’s happiness. Hailed as “astonishing,” “intensely romantic,” and “breathtaking,” The Light in the Piazza is a beautiful and memorable night of theatre.
February 17-19, 25*-26, 2022
Dinner on February 26th
*Talkback on February 25th
Fulks Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Standard Tickets $25 (no dinner)
Tickets with Dinner $50
Recommended for ages 10 and older
*OPEN SEATING*
Spring Comedy
Bus Stop
Written by William Inge
Directed by Gary Varner, Faculty Emeritus
In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and four or five weary travelers are going to have to hole up until morning. Cherie, a nightclub chanteuse in a sparkling gown and a seedy fur-trimmed jacket, is the passenger with most to worry about. She’s been pursued, made love to and finally kidnapped by a twenty-one-year-old cowboy with a ranch of his own and the romantic methods of an unusually headstrong bull. The belligerent cowhand is right behind her, ready to sling her over his shoulder and carry her, alive and kicking, all the way to Montana. Even as she’s ducking out from under his clumsy but confident embraces, and screeching at him fiercely to shut him up, she pauses to furrow her forehead and muse, “Somehow deep inside of me I got a funny feeling I’m gonna end up in Montana …” As a counterpoint to the main romance, the proprietor of the cafe and the bus driver at last find time to develop a friendship of their own; a middle-age scholar comes to terms with himself; and a young girl who works in the cafe also gets her first taste of romance.
April 7-9, 22*-23 @ 7:30 p.m
Fulks Theatre
*Talkback on 22nd
Dinner on 23rd, 6:15pm North Lobby
Fulks Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Standard Tickets $25 (no dinner)
Tickets with Dinner $50
Recommended for ages 10 and older
*OPEN SEATING*
LIGHTS UP!
Concert & Reception
Joy For the Journey
A cabaret evening of faith and joy
with Joel Edwards (’16)
December 4, 2021
7:30 p.m.
Center for Contemporary Arts
220 Cypress St.
