Enjoy works from a variety of genres, subjects and time periods in Theatre UCF’s 2022–23 season
With a variety of plays and musicals ranging from Shakespeare to bluegrass, Theatre UCF’s 2022-23 season looks at the relationship between individuals and institutions, exploring themes of power structures, corruption and social systems, as well as lighter moments of comedy and love.
The season kicks off with a powerful run of The Interference, an unapologetic look into campus life as a college student navigates the aftermath of a chilling and problematic event. When a survivor of campus sexual assault stands up for herself and speaks out against a popular athlete, she quickly sees the world around her crumble and tremor with excuses, misinformation, passion and fear.
In October, take a peek in the lives of everyday laborers through monologues and songs in Working. Based on the Studs Terkel book with original score by Stephen Schwartz and friends, this 2012 remake of the 1977 original musical features contemporary pieces, including some written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and 26 characters all searching for meaning, hope and truth in the relationship to their profession.
The fall semester wraps up with As You Like It, Shakespeare’s timeless comedy where “all the world’s a stage” and love is manifested in its glorious forms. When Rosalind is banished from the increasingly dangerous court of her usurping uncle, she and her cousin, Celia, flee to the Forest of Arden with the court jester in tow only to discover myriad memorable characters inside a classic Shakespearean plot featuring gender-swapping, melodic songs, beautiful poetry and comedic situations.
In February, go back in time with The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, an irresistibly fascinating look at a stylized 1930s Chicago that follows mobster Arturo Ui, who controls the cauliflower trade by ruthlessly disposing of any opposition. Through Bertolt Brecht’s trademark style of epic theatre, audiences of this highly satirical allegory of Hitler’s rise to power and domination will be invited to contemplate the dangers of greed, political manipulation and power mongering.
The whole family can come to campus for Home of the Brave, designed and directed by graduate students in Theatre UCF’s world-class Theatre for Young Audiences program. Inspired by interviews with military children from all branches of service, Home of the Brave showcases the joys, anxieties, pride and struggles of navigating life within a military family.
In March, enjoy some good ol’ bluegrass, Americana music, and sweet, Southern sugar with Bright Star, a musical created by comedian Steve Martin and folk singer icon Edie Brickell that will leave audiences feeling hopeful, nostalgic and full of love. Based on their Grammy-award winning album Love Has Come For You, this gentle-spirited musical doesn’t shy away from being unapologetically sentimental and follows the spunky life of a woman living on the brink of love and hope in North Carolina.
Event information for UCF Celebrates the Arts 2023 will be announced at a later date. UCF will be at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from April 3-16, 2023.
Subscriptions for the 2022–23 season and single tickets are now available online or by calling the School of Performing Arts Box Office at 407-823-1500.
Visit arts.ucf.edu/theatre or see the full schedule below:
September 22–October 2, 2022
The Interference
by Lynda Radley
Directed by David Reed
UCF Black Box Theatre
A college student navigates the aftermath of a chilling and problematic event that happens far too often on American campuses in this unapologetic, focused and impactful drama.
When an event of a certain magnitude quakes the earth surrounding it, a tsunami of voices often follows, interfering in everyday life, especially to assess, comment and even cover up objective truth. If social structures are not protecting the people, where does one go? When a survivor of campus sexual assault stands up for herself and speaks out against a popular athlete, she quickly sees the world around her crumble and tremor with excuses, misinformation, passion and fear. The Interference is an unapologetic look into campus life, as seen and felt by one woman determined to be heard and seen.
October 20–30, 2022
Working
Book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso
Directed by Earl D. Weaver
Music and Lyrics by Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Mary Rodgers, Micki Grant, Stephen Schwartz, Susan Birkenhead, and Lin-Manuel Miranda
UCF Mainstage Theatre
Experience a unique and patchwork account of class through monologues and songs that compel us to take a peek in the lives of everyday laborers in this country with heart, compassion and gratitude.
In advanced societies, some jobs and the people who perform them get taken for granted, but in this 2012 remake of the 1977 original musical, everybody has a powerful voice, capable of shaking the very core of our everyday life. This version of Working features more contemporary pieces, including some written by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, and 26 characters all searching for meaning, hope and truth in the relationship to their profession.
November 10–20, 2022
As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Vivian Majkowski
UCF Black Box Theatre
What better way to celebrate Orlando than by joining us for this play? One of Shakespeare’s more niche comedies, this love tale features all the best the Bard created in his glorious career.
When Rosalind is banished from the increasingly dangerous court of her usurping uncle, she and her cousin, Celia, flee to the Forest of Arden with the court jester in tow only to discover a myriad of memorable characters inside a classic Shakespearean plot featuring gender-swapping, melodic songs, beautiful poetry and comedic situations. Will Rosalind and Orlando declare their love? Will Sylvius stop pining for the girl who scorns him? Will Touchstone win Audrey away from William? Will Celia find anyone? As You Like It is one of Shakespeare’s timeless comedies where “All the World’s a Stage” and love is manifested in its glorious forms.
February 2-12, 2023
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
by Bertolt Brecht
Translated by Jennifer Wise
Directed by Christopher Niess
UCF Mainstage Theatre
High energy and stakes rock this gangster world to the core when Arturo Ui climbs to the top of the crime ladder in this irresistibly fascinating look at a stylized 1930s Chicago and the corruption big cities foster.
A highly satirical allegory of Hitler’s rise to power and domination in Nazi Germany, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui follows mobster Arturo Ui, who controls the cauliflower trade in 1930s Chicago by ruthlessly disposing of any opposition. Will anyone be able to stop him or will terror and bloodshed ensue the actions of one man? Through Bertolt Brecht’s trademark style of epic theatre, audiences will be invited to contemplate the dangers of greed, political manipulation and power mongering.
February 24–26, 2023
Home of the Brave
by Lee Cataluna
Directed by Christian Anderson
UCF Black Box Theatre
The concept of home can mean a lot to different people: it can be a person, or family, it can be a house or location; and sometimes, it can feel like an unreachable desire in the heart of someone who just wants to belong somewhere.
Inspired by interviews with military children from all branches of service, Home of the Brave showcases the joys, anxieties, pride, and struggles of navigating life within a military family. Developed as a co-commission between Honolulu Theatre for Youth and La Jolla Playhouse, this play is composed of scenes and monologues that explore ideas of home, belonging, friendship and change through a collection of stories about five children’s experiences. When moving around a lot throughout childhood and not seeing one or more parents for extended periods of time, what weight do certain words and roles carry?
March 23–April 2, 2023
Bright Star
by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
Directed by Michael Wainstein
UCF Mainstage Theatre
Enjoy some good ol’ bluegrass, Americana music, and sweet, Southern sugar in this gentle-spirited musical that doesn’t shy away from being unapologetically sentimental and follows the spunky life of a woman living on the brink of love and hope in North Carolina.
In 1925, a care-free and barefoot wild teenage girl living in a beautiful small mountain town in North Carolina falls in love and has a child only to have her pregnancy hidden from the town and her baby taken at birth. 22 years later she has grown into a vibrant, successful magazine editor in Asheville, conquering a male-dominated profession… until a shocking encounter changes the course of her life, restores her hope and blesses her with the love she lost so long ago. Created by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Bright Star is based on their Grammy-award winning album Love Has Come For You and will leave audiences feeling hopeful, nostalgic and full of love.