Binghamton University announces 2022-23 theatre season

Binghamton University’s Theatre Department announces its 2022-23 season, “New Classics, Remade,” to entertain and enlighten in-person audiences with four mainstage productions. Featuring two mainstage musicals, Into The Woods (dir. Tommy Iafrate) and Rent (dir. David Wynen), the return of the much-loved dance production Jazz Nutcracker (dir. JoEllen Kuhlman) and an epic tale of historical fiction, Thrive, Or What You Will (dir. Lisa Rothe).

• Into the Woods interweaves four famous fairytales (Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel) set forth by a pair of bakers who must acquire special items to break a witch’s curse. Unlike the original stories, the ending is not the “happily ever after” you’d expect. A well-known and loved musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine. Directed by Associate Professor Tommy Iafrate and music-directed by lecturer Melissa Yanchak. Performing at 8 p.m. Nov. 4, 5, 11 and 12*, and 2 p.m. Nov. 13. *Audiences are invited to a Fairy Tale and Folklore Discussion Panel with faculty members from the English and Comparative Literature departments, facilitated by Iafrate.
• Jazz Nutcracker reimagines the classic Nutcracker story and the iconic Tchaikovsky ballet score into a modern version set in the mid-20th century. Choreographed and directed by adjunct lecturer JoEllen Kuhlman, the play will be performed by dancers from Binghamton University and the local community to jazz-inspired renditions of the traditional Nutcracker Suite along with a few other seasonal favorites. Jazz Nutcracker is a show for all ages to enjoy during the winter holiday season! Performing at 8 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, and 2 p.m. Dec. 3, 4.
• Thrive, Or What You Will {an epic} is a contemporary work by LM Feldman that relates an epic tale about Jeanne Baret, the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. In Thrive, or What your Will, Baret is a gender-nonconforming 18th-century herb woman who sets out on an 11-year voyage across lands and seas. Nearly everything we know about Baret’s life comes from the journals of men who knew her. Guest director Lisa Rothe will be at the helm for the first adventure of the spring 2023 semester. Performing at 8 p.m. Feb. 23, 24, 25 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 25, 26
• Rent is the legacy rock musical by Jonathan Larson based on Puccini’s beloved La Bohème. In Manhattan’s East Village, impoverished young artists fight to survive and create their lives amid an epidemic. A pioneer in celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community on Broadway, Rent reminds us all to measure life in love. Directed and choreographed by Assistant Professor David Wynen, music-directed by lecturer Melissa Yanchak. Performing at 8 p.m. April 21, 22, 28, and 2 p.m. April 23, 30.

All four productions will be performed in Watters Theater, in Binghamton University’s Fine Arts Building.

Individual show tickets are $10, student; $15 senior, faculty, staff, alumni; $20 general public.

Subscriptions for two-, three- and four-packs are available.

Visit the Anderson Center Box Office, call 607-777-ARTS (2787) or visit anderson.binghamton.edu to purchase tickets.