DVC Drama Department Announces Its New Season

The season begins with the winner of the 1990 Tony Award for Best Play, The Grapes of Wrath, by Frank Galati, based on the John Steinbeck novel and directed by Ed Trujillo. Set during the Great Depression, the story follows the Joad family, Oklahoma farmers driven from their home by drought and economic hardships, forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Out of their journey evolves a drama that is intensely human and majestic in its moral vision. (October 19-November 11).

In November, DVC will present the intense and deeply affecting play, The Exonerated, by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, which tells the true story of six innocent people convicted and sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit. Constructed entirely out of interviews, letters, transcripts, and case files, the stories are mini chronicles of lives destroyed, yet are testimonies to the fact that hope and faith can survive. Directed by student director, Kerel Rennacker. (November30-December 9).

They usher in January 2013 with the super smart, quirky musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, music & lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and directed by Lisa Drummond. This smash-hit musical comedy is about six young people in the throes of puberty vying for the spelling bee championship of a lifetime. With it’s enormously appealing cast of lovable misfits, nerds, and neurotics, this show perfectly captures the angst, exhilaration, and heartache that makes growing up so painful and so wonderful. (January25-February 10).

In March, DVC will bring you thethrilling Shakespearean drama, Richard III, directed by Beth McBrien. After a long civil war between the royal families, England enjoys a period of peace under King Edward IV, but Edward’s younger brother, Richard, resents his power. Richard begins to aspire to the throne, and decides to kill anyone who will stand in his way. Shakespeare paints an unforgettable portrait of obsession, seduction, and betrayal, and brings to life one of the most diabolical villains in all of literature. (March 15-April 7)

The season concludes with theside-splittingly funny All In The Timing by David Ives, directed by Nicole Hess-Diestler. A collection of six utterly delightful one-acts that might show up on the PBS’ equivalent of “Saturday Night Live”, this award winning evening of comedies combines wit, intellect, satire, and just plain fun. The revue-like sketches are playful, each making the point that communication is largely a comedy of errors. (May 9-19)