Broadway has found its way back to the University for the 44th year.
The Lively Arts committee of the Union Planners Committee will present its annual “Lively Arts: Great Performance Theater Series” beginning Oct. 7 with the musical revue the “The Ten Tenors.”
“Each of this year’s shows is interesting in its own way,” said Perry Poussard Jr., UPC Lively Arts associate chair of publicity. “Each of the productions is just as entertaining as the next.”
“The Ten Tenors” is performed by ten male singers who are based out of Australia. Their repertoire includes a wide range from classical to pop music, Poussard said.
“Those who loved ‘100 Years of Broadway’ last year would probably very much enjoy ‘The Ten Tenors’ this year,” he said.
On Nov. 2, the series continues with “1984,” performed by The Actors Gang, a Los Angeles-based ensemble.
The play is a modern day adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel.
“I’m excited to see [1984],” said Nichole Ingalsbe, theater sophomore. “It will be cool to see how it relates nowadays.”
For those who enjoyed the Johnny Cash film “Walk the Line,” the series presents “Ring of Fire” on Feb. 19.
Composed by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby Jr., the musical features 38 of Cash’s classic songs according to the Lively Arts Web site.
“I’m not a big fan of musicals, but Johnny Cash sounds good,” said Kyle Amacker, mass communication junior. The series finishes off Apt. 11 with “Reduced Shakespeare Company: Completely Hollywood.”
The company “is a three-man comedy troupe known for taking long, serious subjects and reducing them into short, sharp comedies,” the Lively Arts Web site said.
While some students thought the program might only interest a certain group of people, many said it depends on the name of the show.
“I went to some [performances] my freshman year,” said Marcia Broussard, mass communication senior. “I bought the whole student package because I wanted to see ‘Rent.’ Some of the other performances were hit-or-miss.”
Other students were worried about the cost to see the performances.
While most of the UPC events are free with a student ID, there is an admission fee for the theatre series.
Poussard said the concert series has three price ranges: students, faculty/union workers and the public.
Students can buy a season pass to all four shows for around $50 depending on the seats. Individual tickets range from $15 to $20.
Poussard encouraged students to get the season pass to save money.
“We are offering students the chance to see Broadway-caliber shows,” he said. “The Great Performances Theater Series is a nationally award-winning program, and we want to share this amazing experience with the LSU community.”
—Contact Adam Pfleider at [email protected]