Theatre UAB sets exciting new season of performances

Last season's "Sister Act," presented by Theatre UAB and Red Mountain Theatre Company, featured UAB students and faculty.This year, Theatre UAB will present a "strong" new season of plays, and students will again get the chance to work and perform in a professional theater production.

Theatre UAB is the performance company of the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Theatre at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For 2024-25, Theatre UAB will present "God of Carnage," "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812," "The Revolutionists," and "She Kills Monsters" in UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. The season finale will be Disney's "Freaky Friday," presented in collaboration with Red Mountain Theatre, after the tremendously successful inaugural production together last season, "Sister Act."

Visit the UAB Department of Theatre online at uab.edu/cas/theatre, or call the department at 205-934-3236. Purchase tickets at AlysStephens.org or call 205-975-2787.

When choosing plays, UAB always tries to balance its season and represent its community, says Department of Theatre Chair Kelly Allison. But this season "is probably one of our strongest," he said, with a focus on strong female characters and female writers.

Partnerships between undergraduate programs and professional companies give student s an opportunity to work professionally while still in school and make the transition from college to career.

"That is not an opportunity that undergraduates can get in every undergraduate program," Allison said. Another benefit of working with Red Mountain Theatre is bringing Theatre UAB's work to people who would not normally come to a college production - "because we do not do normal college productions here. The college productions we do are exceptional in many ways."

In a switch from past seasons, Theatre UAB will open the season with a small show in the Odess Theatre, the Alys Stephens Center's "black box" performance space. That is because the second play of the season, "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812" is a big challenge: In this sing-through production with musicians on stage, performers begin singing at the curtain and do not stop until the curtain goes down.

"It is a deceptively complex production, and entertaining," Allison said. "I think it is going to be a unique experience for our audience, and we are really looking forward to it."

Theatre UAB's 2024-2025 season:

Oct. 16-20, "God of Carnage"

By Yasmina Reza | Translated by Christopher Hampton | Directed by Dennis McLernon

Tensions emerge when a playground altercation between 11-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. The play contains strong language, adult themes and brief simulated violence. Performances at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 20, in UAB's Alys Stephens Center. Tickets are $15; $10 for UAB students. Purchase tickets at AlysStephens.org or call 205-975-2787.

Nov. 13-17, "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812"

By Dave Malloy | Directed by Santiago Sosa | Music direction by Carolyn Violi | Choreography by guest artist Alexis Sims

An electropop opera ripped from a slice of Tolstoy's "War and Peace." When young and impulsive Natasha Rostova falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to family friend Pierre to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. The play contains mild adult themes. Performances at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Nov. 17, in UAB's Alys Stephens Center. Tickets are $25 and $20; $15 for UAB employees and senior citizens; $10 for UAB students. Purchase tickets at AlysStephens.org or call 205-975-2787.

Feb. 26-March 2, 2025, "The Revolutionists"

By Lauren Gunderson | Directed by Jack Cannon

Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. The play contains strong language and adult themes. Performances at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 2, in UAB's Alys Stephens Center. Tickets are $15; $10 for UAB students. Purchase tickets at AlysStephens.org or call 205-975-2787.

March 26-30, 2025, "She Kills Monsters"

By Qui Nguyen | Directed by Santiago Sosa

This heart-pounding high-octane romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games is laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres and '90s pop culture. The play contains strong language and mild adult themes. Performances at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 30, in UAB's Alys Stephens Center. Tickets are $20 and $15; $15 for UAB employees and senior citizens; $10 for UAB students. Purchase tickets at AlysStephens.org or call 205-975-2787.

April 4-19, 2025, Disney's "Freaky Friday"

Book by Bridget Carpenter | Music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey | Directed and choreographed by Roy Lightner | Music direction by Anthony Smith

Based on a novel by Mary Rodgers and The Disney Films. In this Red Mountain Theatre and UAB Department of Theatre collaboration, an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies and have just one day to put things right again. Evening and matinee performances. For showtimes and tickets, visit RedMountainTheatre.org.

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