“Metamorphoses” Opens at Williams Center

Theatre/Sewanee will present Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses” at 7:30 p.m., today (Friday) and Saturday, Oct. 16–17; 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18; and 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22–24, in the Tennessee Williams Center.

“Metamorphoses” brings the Roman poet Ovid’s tales to stunning visual life. The play juxtaposes the ancient and the contemporary in both language and image to reflect the variety and the persistence of narrative in the face of inevitable change. 

The Theatre/Sewanee production is directed by Peter Smith.

Scenery and lighting design are by Dan Backlund, and costumes are designed by Ruth Guerra. Music for the Sewanee production is composed by Diane Rubio and Danny Cruces, with choreography by Courtney World. John Marshall is technical director, and Alena Kochinski is production stage manager.

Admission to “Metamorphoses” is free, but reservations are suggested; email <mcook@sewanee.edu>.

“All’s Well That Ends Well” Opens Wednesday

Theatre Sewanee will present William Shakespeare’s comedy “All’s Well That Ends Well” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday–Saturday, Feb. 25–28, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 1, in the Tennessee Williams Center on the Sewanee campus. Admission is free but reservations are suggested; please email <mcook@sewanee.edu>.

“There’s place and means for every man alive,” says the character Parolles in his moment of greatest loss. He means “every” person, not just those we want to have around. But how do we find a place for those who hurt us the most? In Shakespeare’s “All’s Well That Ends Well,” his most modern woman, Helena, defies all cultural norms to answer this question. Like everyone, she has faults, but unlike most, she has unwavering love and baffling forgiveness. Helena travels through darkness and undergoes suffering to save the man of her heart’s desire. Through this journey, she unlocks the key for social change, healing and growth.

“All’s Well That Ends Well” is directed by Sewanee senior theater major Chase Brantley, with scenery by Mary Morrison, costumes by Josie Guevara-Torres and lighting by Chynna Bradford.

The production has a large cast of students and faculty, including faculty members David Landon, Marcia Mary Cook and Christopher Bryan.

Sondheim Musical Opens Oct. 17

Theatre/Sewanee will present “Side By Side By Sondheim,” a musical revue celebrating the wit and genius of Stephen Sondheim, one of musical theatre’s most influential artists.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, October 17–18; 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19; and 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 23–25. All performances are in the Tennessee Williams Center.

The review features music from “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

The production will feature 10 student singers. “Side By Side By Sondheim” is directed by Peter Smith, with musical direction by Katherine Anderson, scenery and lighting by Dan Backlund, costumes by Jennifer Matthews, choreography by Courtney World, Chase Brantley and Josie Guevara-Torres, and technical direction by John Marshall.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Reservations are available by email, <mcook@sewanee.edu>.

Theatre Sewanee Presents DanceWise Jan. 29–31

Theatre Sewanee presents “DanceWise: Point of Departure,” Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 29–31. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Center on the Sewanee campus. 

Under the artistic direction of Courtney World, visiting assistant professor of dance, DanceWise takes dance at Sewanee in a new direction. This 60-minute concert will showcase the talent of three emerging student choreographers—Elizabeth Beilharz, Josie Guevara-Torres and Clara Guyton—side-by-side with choreography and performances by World, including a solo tap dance. Collaborations include a dance for camera conceived with filmmaker Catalina Jordan Alvarez, and a duet with guest artist and co-choreographer Heather Acomb.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. To reserve tickets, email <mcook@sewanee.edu> or call 598-3260. More information about each dance follows.

“Cycles of Life,” choreographed by Elizabeth Beilharz, is inspired by the fragile relationship and transient unity between nature and man. Performed by Josie Clark, Sasha Green, Clara Guyton and Noni Hill.

“Confessions of a Bottomless Heart,” choreographed by Clara Guyton, is a duet danced by Max Hagan and Karen Bjerre, exploring the extremes of a compulsive but compassionate heart and the consequences thereof.

“Five Stages of Anger” is an intense paso doble-inspired percussive dance choreographed by Josie Guevara-Torres. The sound score is created by the movement of the dancers, Daryl Curry, Clara Guyton, Brittany Macon, Sandy Milien and Katherine Sharp.

“Not One Thing” choreographed by Courtney World, is inspired by drawings and symbolism from Ensō Zen Circles of Enlightenment by Audrey Yoshiko Seo. Danced by Virginia Flowers, Clara Guyton, Noni Hill, Elizabeth Layman and Fridien Tchoukou.

“Harmonic Inspiration” choreographed by Derick Grant, is a lively solo tap dance arranged and performed by Courtney World. An intriguing blend of traditional rhythm jazz tap performed to the classical music of Antonio Vivaldi.

Heather Acomb, independent dance artist and former dancer with Bill Evans Dance Company, will perform in the premiere of an original collaboratively choreographed duet with Courtney World.

A new dance for camera, collaboratively conceived by Catalina Jordan Alvarez and Courtney World, is a visual dance narrative of community, life, death and transformation, featuring Vivien Kis, Charlotte LaNasa, Hilary Smith, Kathryn Snyder and Tia Strickland.

Lighting and set design are by Dan Backlund, costumes by Josie Guevara-Torres, Ruth Guerra and Jennifer Matthews, and technical direction by John Marshall, assisted by Samantha Gribben.

“Ring Round the Moon” Opens Nov. 8

Theatre/Sewanee will present Jean Anouilh’s comedy “Ring Round the Moon,” adapted by Christopher Fry, at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8–9, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, in the Tennessee Williams Center. Performances are also scheduled at 7:30 p.m., Thursday–Saturday, Nov. 14–16. 

“Ring Round the Moon” is described as a playful romp, a charade with music. It features plots and counterplots involving ballet dancers, butlers, millionaires and a multitude of charming intriguers. 

Heading the large cast is Oliver Crawford as the twin brothers, Hugo and Frederic. He is joined by Pagie Wilson as an innocent, young ballet dancer and Sarah Weldon as her overbearing, brassy mother, along with Charlotte LaNasa as a spoiled millionairess and Hyatt Pyle as an eccentric patron of the arts.

Elise Anderson will appear as the mistress of the millionaire (played by Peter Smith), who has been carrying on a with her lover’s secretary, played by Cody Snead. Karen Pelfrey Smith is the dowager aunt of the twins, with Megan Quick as her faded companion and Jack Russell as a crumbling butler, aided by Audrey Tchoukova and Alex Linton as bumbling footmen.

“Ring Round the Moon” is directed by Peter Smith, assisted by Beckett Scott. Scenery and lighting are designed by Dan Backlund and costumes designed by Josie Guevara-Torres. Courtney World is the choreographer, with stage management by Ruth Guerra and technical direction by John Marshall, assisted by Samantha Gribben. The event is free, but reservations are suggested by emailing <mcook@sewanee.edu>.