From hilarious to poignant and anywhere in between, the theater productions of this season touch upon topics that anyone can relate to.
Touring shows presented by performers from Broadway and abroad along with productions presented by IUP students and faculty members combine to offer theater-goers a season with humor, honesty, music, and heart.
View the Events Calendar for Lively Arts
Pippin
April 26-28 and 30, May 1-3, 7:30 p.m., Waller Hall Mainstage, IUP Performing Arts Center
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Directed by Rob Gretta
Musical Direction by Oliver Lo
Choreographed by Joan Van Dyke
IUP's Theater-by-the-Grove presents the iconic Broadway musical Pippin. A young prince yearning to find adventure makes a strange alliance with a group of travelers who takes him on a magical journey to be extraordinary. But is the journey real… or only in his mind?
Fabric of the Nation
October 12-13 and 17-20, 7:30 p.m., and October 14, 2:00 p.m., Waller Hall Mainstage, IUP Performing Arts Center
Directed by Rick Kemp, Dramaturgy by Rachel DeSoto-Jackson
“Life stories, past and present, lost and found, weave together in a rich and textured tapestry of who we are as a nation. What does it mean to belong?
“The show is created by a process known as ‘devising' in which company members collaboratively create and shape dramatic material for performance.”
World Builders
Tuesday-Saturday, November 13-17, 7:30 p.m., Waller Hall Mainstage, IUP Performing Arts Center
By Johnna Adams
Directed by Rob Gretta
In a clinical drug trial to cure their psychosis, two patients meet, fall in love, and must decide whether to build a world together or continue to live in the worlds the drugs seek to destroy in this engaging play.
Spamalot
Monday, December 3, 8:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Ripped from the film classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail,Spamalot is an outrageous Broadway musical comedy telling the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences worldwide are eating up Spamalot!
Bubble Trouble: An Interactive Bubble Show
Friday, February 22, 7:00 p.m., Waller Hall Mainstage, IUP Performing Arts Center
Taking bubbles to the max! Mixing comedy, music, and interactive bubble magic, Jeff Boyer engages and delights audiences. Amusing and educating family audiences for over 21 years, Boyer's unique, inclusive and interactive art separates Bubble Trouble from other bubble shows. Only $5 for a child's ticket!
The Sweet Remains: Film Screening, The Independents
Thursday, February 28, 6:30 p.m., Beard Auditorium, Stouffer Hall
The Independents is a musical comedy/drama about three solo artists who collide at the same crossroads and discover harmony. Thus is born “RGB” (at least until they come up with a better band name), and what follows is their roller-coaster-ride journey across America for a one last shot at musical glory.
The Acorn Project
February 27-28 and March 1-2, 7:30 p.m., Waller Hall Mainstage, IUP Performing Arts Center
Coordinated by Michael Schwartz
From tiny seeds, mighty oaks do grow! Incubating the work of students, alumni, and faculty, the Acorn Project nurtures and showcases theater and dance student growth by providing opportunities to perform, produce, direct, write, and design.
Rock of Ages
Tuesday, April 16, 8:00 p.m., Fisher Auditorium, IUP Performing Arts Center
Broadway's best party is turning up the volume to 10! Nominated for five Tony Awards, Rock of Ages captures the iconic era of 1980s Hollywood. Featuring the music of hit bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, and more, this 10th anniversary production will have you ready to rock!
