Wheeling Jesuit University will have something for everyone with five shows planned for the 2016-17 Performing Arts Season.
“Whether you want to come and watch a play or musical or take the stage as an alum or take part in karaoke — this year’s line up of performances has something for everyone. We invite the local community to come to campus and enjoy one or all of the shows we will offer this season,” said Dave Henderson, WJU’s coordinator of Performing Arts.
The season gets under way Saturday, Sept. 17 when WJU alumni take the stage to perform Dying to Win by Jim Christian. During the annual Mystery Dinner Theater, set for 6 p.m., alumni from near and far return to campus to perform this year’s comedy. This annual theater event has become a hallmark of Homecoming Weekend at Wheeling Jesuit. Reservations are required. The cost of the dinner theater, which includes the show, light appetizers, buffet dinner and desserts is $20 for the public, $15 for WJU employees and free to WJU students with ID card.
Reservations can be made by going to https://goo.gl/forms/Cl9YR5mzao04PGxB2
or calling 304-243-2085. Please specify number of public, employee or students when reserving. Payment can be made at the door.
The Theater Guild’s Broadway Karaoke Coffee House is open to everyone Friday, Oct. 14. This is a chance to show off your musical talents, Broadway-style beginning at 8 p.m. in Troy Theater. In addition to hearing vocalist sing Broadway tunes, there will be free coffee and sweets for all that attend.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Jay Presson Allen, adapted from the novel by Muriel Spark will be performed by Wheeling Jesuit students Nov. 17-20. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie tells the story of what a profound impact a teach can have on a child’s life. Jean Brodie is a teacher at a conservative girls’ school during the 1930s. She disdains the banality of a conventional education, preferring to instill in her young students her own passion for paintings, politics, music and men. Things go horribly awry, however, when Miss Brodie and her politics are betrayed to the headmistress by one of her most trusted students.
Students return to the stage in February to perform The Secret Garden, adapted by Pamela Sterling from the novel by Francis Hodgson Burnett, Feb. 9-11 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
The play tells the story of Mary Lennox, a sullen and spoiled young orphan, who is sent to live with her brooding uncle at gloomy Misselthwaite Manor. Discovering a hidden, neglected garden, Mary plants the seeds of new life for all those drawn into her secret refuge. The play tells the story of growth and blossoming of the earth and the human spirit.
In April, Wheeling Jesuit students will bring to life the Broadway hit 42nd Street. Set for April 6-8 at 8 p.m. and April 9 at 2 p.m., 42nd Street is based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie.
This show tells the story of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her Allentown home and comes to New York to audition for the new Broadway musical Pretty Lady. When the leading lady breaks her ankle, Peggy takes over and becomes a star. A quintessential backstage musical comedy classic, 42nd Street is the song and dance fable of Broadway and includes some of the greatest songs ever written, such as “We’re in The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and of course “42nd Street.”
All performances will be held in Troy Theater, located inside Swint Hall on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University. Performances, except for the mystery dinner theater, are free and open to the public. Seating is on a first come, and reservations are not taken unless otherwise noted.
For more information about any of the performances, call 304-243-2085 or visit Wheeling Jesuit University performing arts on Facebook.
