UNA Summer Theatre Presents “True West”
Jun. 11, 2015
By Carole Maynard,
UNA Department of Music & Theatre
FLORENCE, Ala. – UNA Summer Theatre takes the stage of the George S. Lindsey Theatre this June with Sam Shepard’s “True West.” A finalist for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, “True West” has become an American theatre classic.
“‘True West’ is a comedic drama with absurd psychological qualities,” said UNA Theatre professor Charlton James. “Audiences can expect to be entertained and introduced to themes of the curse of ancestry, the old west vs. the new west, art as a business vs. art as an ideal and the fallibility of the American Dream.”
Two-time Tony-nominated director Randal Myler returns to direct. Myler directed Summer Theatre 2012’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” 2013’s musical hit “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” and 2014’s comedy “The 39 Steps.”
Also returning is Hollywood actor and Russellville native Myk Watford, who plays the role of Lee. Watford directed 2011’s production of “Death of a Salesman,” and starred as Stanley in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and Burrhead in “Hank Williams: Lost Highway.”
New York City actor and comedian Brian Sloan returns to play Saul Kimmer. Sloan’s Summer Theatre credits include “Death of a Salesman” and “The 39 Steps.”
James, a Summer Theatre alum who performed in “Death of a Salesman,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” and “The 39 Steps,” plays the role of Austin. He is thrilled to work with this distinguished group once again.
“The quality of their work and their willingness to bring professional attitudes and experience to our university is what keeps us bringing them back,” said James. “It is difficult to find professional theatre practitioners who will leave the professional stages and set to work with young budding theatre artists.”
James is also pleased to have local actress Kim Caron return to play Mom. Caron performed in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Hank Williams: Lost Highway.”
The mission of UNA Summer Theatre is to establish a professional resident theatre company at UNA to bring American theatre classics to the Shoals. Professional actors and technical personnel work alongside UNA faculty and students, an invaluable experience for the students.
“The Summer Theatre experience allows our students to develop relationships with current and relevant professional theatre artists,” said James.
Performance dates are June 19-20 and 25-27 at 7:30 p.m., and June 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for UNA employees and $5 for all students.
UNA Theatre students will present understudy performances on June 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., and June 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets for understudy performances are $15 for adults, $10 for UNA employees and $5 for all students.
Tickets are available online at una.edu/summertheatre (service fee will apply), at Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts and at the door.
For more information, visit una.edu/summertheatre or call (256)765-5122.