The Theatre Program at Blair Academy offers the serious actor and the newcomer to the stage opportunities all year round. Craig Evans and Michele McMillan direct several productions each year, in addition to teaching theatre and English classes.

The Blair Academy Players 2011-2012

WORKING
November 3, 4 & 5, 7:30 p.m.
DuBois Theatre
Book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso; music by Stephen Schwartz, Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia,
Mary Rodgers and James Taylor; lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia, James Taylor and Susan Birkenhead
Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working tells the compelling story of those who go to work every day: the schoolteacher, the parking lot attendant, the waitress, the millworker, the housewife, etc. This musical is a rare collection of the stories of these workers told by a varied collection of composers.

WORD PLAY: A NIGHT OF ONE-ACTS BY DAVID IVES
January 26, 27 & 28, 8:00 p.m.
Wean Theatre
Vincent Canby of the New York Times calls Ives a “master of language” and says, “He uses words for their meanings, sounds, and associations...He’s an original.” Join the Blair Academy Players as they present five short plays that turn the convention of language on its ear, and the result is eccentric, original, zany fun. For mature audiences.

SWEENEY TODD
February 16, 17 & 18, 7:30 p.m.
DuBois Theatre
Book by Hugh Wheeler; music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; based on a version of Sweeney Todd by Christopher Bond
This musical thriller tells the infamous tale of the unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. His thirst for blood soon expands to include his unfortunate customers, and the resourceful proprietress of the pie shop downstairs soon has the people of London lining up in droves with her mysterious new meat pie recipe! Sweeney Todd is a mix of fun and dark humor.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC
May 10, 11 & 12, 7:30 p.m.
Robert J. Evans Open Air Theatre
Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac is the romantic tale of swashbuckling, duplicity and love. The title character is a philosopher-swordsman who pines for his beautiful cousin Roxane, yet is too ashamed of his large nose to tell her. He is recruited by the man she loves to write poetry and love letters to her in the name of the man she loves. Many years later the truth is revealed – in one of the theatre’s most heartbreaking finales.

RADIUM GIRLS
May 17, 18 & 19, 7:30 p.m.
Wean Theatre
By D.W. Gregory
In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, and luminous watches were the latest rage – until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story and set in Orange, N.J., Radium Girls follows the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. This “dramedy” offers a wry, unflinching look at American obsessions with health, wealth and the commercialization of science.

TICKET INFORMATION
Unless otherwise noted, drama performances will be held in the DuBois Theatre or the Wean Studio Theatre, both located in the Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts. An $8 donation is requested at the door. For information and ticket reservations, call 908-362-6121 ext. 5682.