New Plays, Classics, And Musicals Spark CSUF Theatre & Dance 2018-2019 Season

Musical blockbusters "Children of Eden" and "Heathers The Musical" join new plays "bee-luther-hatchee" and "Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play" and classics "The Cherry Orchard" and "Lysistrata" on the Cal State Fullerton stages in 2018-19. Two world-premiere-packed Dance Theatre productions also headline the schedule. "Theatre is about story-telling and this season we open with a story about who has the right to tell whose story," explains CSUF Theatre & Dance Chair David Mickey. "Our College of the Arts students have the right to tell stories that are thought provoking, timeless, engaging, and entertaining and this season will create challenging and educational opportunities for our students, as well as myriad performance experiences for our loyal audiences in Orange County."

Cal State Fullerton's 2018-2019 season opens with "bee-luther-hatchee" by Thomas Gibbons. The production is directed by guest professional director Saundra McClain and runs October 5­-28, 2018 in the Hallberg Theatre on campus. The play follows Shelita Burns, an African-American editor who publishes "bee-luther-hatchee," the award-winning autobiography of a reclusive 72-year-old African-American woman named Libby Price. Having never met, Shelita decides to deliver a copy to Libby. The meeting between the raises complex issues of race and challenges preconceptions.

The warm-hearted family musical "Children of Eden" features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, creator of the Tony-Award winning "Wicked" and "Pippin," and a book by John Caird. "Children of Eden" is a musical telling of the inspirational stories of "Adam and Eve" and "Noah and the Ark." The fall musical is directed by Rufus Bonds Jr. with choreography by William F. Lett and runs October 26-November 11, 2018 in the Little Theatre on campus.

Following the musical is "Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play" written by Anne Washburn. Directed by Kyle Cooper, this darkly funny play features a group of survivors after the collapse of civilization. The survivors surround a campfire and reminisce about the plot of an episode of "The Simpsons" television show titled "Cape Feare." The production runs November 9-December 2, 2018 in the Young Theatre on campus with musical direction by Craig Shield and Corey Hirsch and choreography by Angeline Mirenda.

"Fall Dance Theatre" features world premiere choreography from CSUF dance students, faculty, and guest artists. "Fall Dance Theatre" runs from November 29-December 9, 2018 in the Little Theatre on campus.

The spring semester begins with the classic "The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov, directed by Maria Cominis with Svetlana Efremova. The play runs from March 8-24, 2019 in the Young Theatre on campus. "The Cherry Orchard" follows a destitute Russian aristocrat who returns home to find her family in a financial crisis, forcing them to sell their home to pay off their debt. The family must decide on their prospects for happiness and how to rebuild their lives and fortunes.

"Lysistrata" tells the story of the legendary Athenian, Lysistrata, who calls upon the women of Greece to help put an end to the Peloponnesian War. In order to do so, all women must refuse to have sex with their husbands until they agree to peace in Greece. "Lysistrata," inspired by Aristophanes and adapted by Ellen McLaughlin, is directed by Rufus Bonds Jr., and runs from April 12-May 5, 2019 in the Hallberg Theatre on campus.

Mean girls, Heather, Heather and Heather, rule Westerberg High School in the Broadway hit "Heathers The Musical" (opening now in London's West End), based on the 1989 film, "Heathers," starring Winona Ryder. Misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects the evil high school girl regime for her dark, dangerous new boyfriend, J.D., who plans to put the Heathers where they belong-six feet under. "Heathers The Musical" features book, music, and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe with direction by James R. Taulli. The production runs from April 19-May 5, 2019 in the Young Theatre on campus.

Concluding the 2018-2019 season is "Spring Dance Theatre," running from May 2-12, 2019 in the Little Theatre on Campus featuring vibrant, premiere performances by CSUF dancers and choreographers.

Subscriptions for the Theatre and Dance season at California State University, Fullerton are available now. FlexTix subscriptions offer 5 and 10 redeemable credit options, to use all at once or one-at-a-time. Patrons can create their own unique season with FlexTix credits. Subscriptions covering the Fall Season are $56 each and the entire season FlexTix is $106. Single tickets range from $12 to $24. Tickets are available at the Joseph Clayes III Performing Arts Center Box Office by calling (657) 278-3371, 11 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday, or online. Please note, our on-campus Box Office is closed until August 27. Before August 27, please make your season subscription purchase online or via email.