Raymond Hodges Theatre
Singleton Performing Arts Center
922 Park Ave.,Richmond, VA 23284

Box Office: 804-828-6026

theatretix@vcu.edu

vcutheatre.showclix.com

http://www.vcu.edu/arts/theatr

FEBRUARY 2012
The Elephant Man

Written by Bernard Pomerance
Directed by Casey Biggs
Performed at the Raymond Hodges Theatre, VCU

Feb. 9 Theatre VCU Student Opening - 7:30 pm
Feb. 10 Opening Night - 7:30 pm
Feb. 11 & 16-18 - 7:30 pm • Feb. 12 & 19 - 3:00 pm
Tickets: General Admission - $25.00 • Seniors, VCU Faculty & Staff - $20.00
VCU Students with Valid ID - $10.00 • Other Students with Valid ID – $15.00 MasterCard & Visa Accepted
High School Matinees - Feb. 14 & 15 - 10 am • All HS matinee tickets - $10

What is normal? Do you feel different?

John Merrick looks different. He is so grotesquely deformed that women faint in horror at the sight of him. In the world of 1880’s Victorian England’s freak shows Dr. Federick Treves rescues John Merrick, the Elephant Man. Brought to a hospital for analysis, Merrick is discovered to be a highly intelligent, sensitive and artistic man. He is forever a prisoner of his malformed body, which in fact opens a door to a society he could only dream of.

Based on a true story, this Tony award-winning play, explores the notion of what and who is ‘normal’, how do we define ‘different’, and how we may be persuaded to question our own quality of mercy.

Critically-acclamed director Casey Biggs says of this production: “The Elephant Man is powerfully relevant to the recent nation-wide rash of youthful suicides resulting from being “different”. The play asks the question - ‘Does our external appearance really have anything to do with who we are on the inside?’ The Elephant Man is transformed from a ‘monster’ to a perceptive man whose beautiful spirit lead those around him to discover their own hidden flaws.”

Victorian England is brought brilliantly to life on the Raymond Hodges stage with elaborate period costumes (designed by Isabela Travares De Melo), a set design (designed by Christopher Raintree) that echos the unblanced angles of the Elephant Man’s misshapen body, and with a haunting live cello accompainment that will bring this intimate story to life.

An Evening of Stand-Up Comedy
Directed by Stephen Rosenfield
Performed at the Raymond Hodges Theatre, VCU
Friday, February 24 - 8:00 pm Saturday, February 25 - 8:00 & 10:00 pm
Tickets: General Admission - $15.00 Seniors, VCU Faculty & Staff - $10.00 VCU Students with Valid ID - $5.00 Other Students with Valid ID – $110.00 MasterCard & Visa Accepted
What better way to liven up a winter weekend in Richmond than dis- covering 14 bright new comedians! Nationally renowned comedian, writer, coach and Director of the New York City’s American Comedy Institute, Stephen Rosenfield has worked with Theatre VCU students to develop this weekend of stand-up comedy in the Hodges Theatre. With three shows in two days Stand-Up Comedy at Theatre VCU - you will have plenty to laugh about this February!
Award winning comedy director Stephen Rosenfield has produced, written and directed comedy shows at Caroline’s on Broadway, Stand-Up New York, The Comic Strip, Don’t Tell Mama and The Im- prov as well as directed and co-authored the Obie Award-winning musical comedy review, The Present Tense. His students have ap- peared on The David Letterman Show, The Conan O’Brien Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Last Comic Standing. Stephen Rosenfield’s students have made development deals with CBS, ABC,
FOX, HBO, Paramount, the Henson Co. and Tribune Entertainment to star in their own sitcoms. The New York Times calls him: “The best know comedy teacher in the country!”
Comedy fans circle these dates - February 24 & 25!

APRIL 2012
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn • Directed by Gary C. Hopper
A hilarious tale of six geeky adolescent overachievers vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime, this Tony Award winning musical is both tender and quirky. Directed by longtime Theatre VCU faculty member and a favorite of Richmond audiences, Gary C. Hopper, Spelling Bee features a wide range of misfits varying from a liberal young girl who has gay dads, a slightly obnoxious speller who uses his “Magic Foot” to spell out the words, and a girl whose parents never seem to notice her. At every performance 4 audience members will be invited on stage to participate in the Bee - You perhaps? This fast-paced adorable show is smart, clever, fun, and a most enjoyable way to wrap up our season!
April 5 Student opening - 7:30 pm • April 6 Opening Night - 7:30 pm • April 7 -7:30 pm • April 8 - Easter Sunday - no matinee
April 12-14 - 7:30 pm • April 15 - 3:00 pm • April 19-21 - 7:30 pm • April 22 - 3:00 pm • High School Matinees - April - 10, 11, 17, 18 - 10 am

April 21 - Theatre VCU Alumni Reunion

For more information about the VCU Theatre Dept. please contact Glynn Brannan at gmbrannan@vcu.edu or 804.828.2695.