Weber State University theater department is bringing original and adapted plays to campus this coming fall and spring semesters.
Coming in October is an adaptation of the classic novel “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë. WSU will be using the 2000 Broadway musical adaptation of “Jane Eyre” by John Caird with music from Paul Gordon. WSU’s “Jane Eyre” will run on Oct. 6, 7 and 11-14.
“It kind of lives in that dark, gothic, Romantic period,” Andrew Barratt Lewis, associate professor of theater at WSU, said. “It is a family friendly musical and is a good show for just about anyone to come and see,” Lewis said.
Also coming in the 2023 fall semester, is an adaptation of the 2015 play “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson. “Silent Sky” is the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th-century astronomer, as she discovers where she stands as drastic changes and discoveries are happening in both the social and scientific aspects of life. “Silent Sky” will run on Nov. 10, 11 and 15-18.
“It’s a really interesting historical piece,” Lewis said. “It opens up our insights into some of the discoveries made by women that were not always credited to women.”
Both “Jane Eyre” and “Silent Sky” are new to Weber State’s theater department. The department generally chooses productions that have never been done before at WSU. Both productions follow that trend.
One of the two productions coming in the spring 2024 semester is “The Amphibians.” This production is written by Dan Caffrey and will premiere at Weber State. “The Amphibians,” a new original story, is about two teenagers in the near future who make a discovery in a forest and through this learn about friendship. “The Amphibian” will debut on Feb. 23, 24 and 28-March 2.
“It talks about sustainability and how we take care of this world that we live in,” Lewis said.
Later in the spring semester there will be an adaptation of “The Prom.” “The Prom” is a broadcast musical that debuted back in 2016 by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin with music from Matthew Sklar.
“The Prom” also got a Netflix adaptation in 2020. This production follows the story of struggling Broadway stars helping a girl in a small-town in Indiana get the prom that she hopes for. This production will run from April 4-6.
While all of the roles for the fall semester productions have been cast, auditions for the spring semester are still open to anyone who would like to participate in the theater productions. Auditions for the spring semester productions will be held at the end of the fall semester.
Tickets are also available to anyone who would like to attend any of this year’s productions. For more information visit Weber State’s website to learn more.
“We are looking forward to another great year,” Lewis said.
