Two Plays to Open Next Week in School of Theatre

Two plays will open next week at Illinois State University School of Theatre venues, each dealing with serious and controversial issues.  “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen will run Feb. 20 to 23 in Westhoff Theatre and Frank Wedekind’s “Spring’s Awakening” will run Feb. 22 to March 1 in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre.

“Ghosts,” directed by Professor Sandi Zielinski, tells the story of Mrs. Alving, who is preparing to open an orphanage in honor of her late husband, but both she and her son have to face the ghosts they inherited from the late Captain Alving.  Dealing with such taboo subjects as incest, euthanasia and venereal disease, Ibsen’s masterpiece is as intensively controversial now as it was when it was published in 1881and premiered in Chicago the following year.

Professor Paul Dennhardt directs “Spring’s Awakening,” which was published by the German playwright Wedekind in 1906 and had its premiere in 1917.  The play was banned in New York City, then allowed by the Supreme Court to go on, but ultimately did not attract an audience.  A musical interpretation of the play opened off Broadway in 2007, moved to Broadway and ended up winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

In the sexually-repressed society in Wedekind’s play, how are curious teenagers to come of age?  Called “a tragedy of childhood” by the playwright, “Spring’s Awakening” explores the results of a society that refuses to educate their children on the nature of life.  This play is intended for mature audiences only. 

Tickets can be purchased at the Center for the Performing Arts box office from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, by phone at (309) 438-2535 or online at IllinoisState.edu/finearts

Tickets to “Ghosts” are $10 for the general public, $9 for faculty-staff, $8 for senior citizens and $6 for students.  “Ghosts” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 to 22, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 23.  Tickets to “Spring’s Awakening” are $12 for the general public, $10 for faculty-staff, $9 for senior citizens and $8 for students.  Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 23 and Feb. 27 to March 1, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Feb. 24.