FSU / Asolo Conservatory’s 2017 – 2018 Season
Kedren Spencer (MFA ’18) and Christopher Carlson (MFA ’18) in the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training’s production of “The Drunken City”. Photo by John Revisky.
The FSU/Asolo Conservatory kicks off its season in November with Sophocles’ OEDIPUS, the story of one viciously egotistical ruler who discovers how dangerously seductive political power can be and how impossible it is to escape the lure of destiny. In January, the Conservatory presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ wild anarchic comedy, THE MOTHERF***ER WITH THE HAT. Jackie has just been released from prison and promises to get clean and sober, but when he suspects his girlfriend Veronica of cheating on him, he loses control once again in this high-octane verbal cage match about love, fidelity and misplaced haberdashery.
The Conservatory season continues in February with Jean Anouilh’s brittle, acerbic comedy, THE REHEARSAL, a brilliant piece of wit tempered with a dark and disturbing view of the upper class. In April, the Conservatory will once again join forces with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to present Shakespeare’s brilliant comedy about love gone awry, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, outdoors at Selby Gardens.
“Our upcoming Conservatory season represents the best of world theatre, from classic Greek tragedy to wildly profane contemporary comedy, all chosen to present to the community the new company of actors working at the Conservatory,” said Greg Leaming, Director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. “It’s the kind of high energy, eclectic season that Sarasota has come to expect from us – and we think it’s the perfect season to demonstrate the remarkable skills of these young actors who have come from around the country to study with us and prepare themselves to take on the role they are being trained for, as the future leaders of the American theatre.”
OEDIPUS
By Sophocles
November 1 – November 19
Preview October 31
Directed by Greg Leaming
Long considered one of the greatest plays ever written, performed by the entire second year acting ensemble, Oedipus is the story of one very flawed hero discovering the awful burden of power and the impossibility of ignoring the whims of fate. Oedipus, the king of Thebes, promises to find the cause of a plague that ransacks the city, only to discover just how complicit he has been in destroying his own community.
THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
January 3 – January 21
Preview January 2
Jackie has just been released from prison and promises to get clean and sober, but when he suspects his girlfriend Veronica of cheating on him, he loses control once again. Profane, edgy and absolutely hilarious, The Motherf**ker with the Hat is a twisted comedy that turns out to have a lot to say about relationships. The Wall Street Journal declared: “Don’t let the stupid title put you off. If you do, you’ll miss one of the best new plays to come to Broadway in ages.”
THE REHEARSAL
By Jean Anouilh
February 21 – March 11
Preview February 20
A group of very wealthy socialites gather to present a production of a Marivaux play and enlist the help of Lucile, a poor young girl hired as nanny for the household. Love blossoms quickly, but is soon ruthlessly destroyed by those who feel their barely adequate existence is threatened. At once a brilliant boulevard farce and a dark, disturbing morality play, penned by one the great writers of contemporary European theatre.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
April 18 – May 6
Preview April 17
The Bard’s most mature comedy with some of his most memorable characters, Much Ado About Nothing will be performed in the glorious Marie Selby Botanical Gardens by the entire ensemble of second year graduate actors. Benedick and Beatrice are sworn enemies until the impending marriage of Beatrice’s cousin Hero, at which point disdain turns into enormous and unexpected passion. Much Ado About Nothing is a wild comedy that poignantly delves into issues of honor, shame and politics.