PRESS CONTACT:
Jeremy Allen Thompson
(802) 656-0094
jeremy.thompson@uvm.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2002

The UVM Theatre Announces 2002-2003 Season Under New Leadership

Changes are afoot at The UVM Theatre. While the warm welcome of President Fogel to the university campus is the most visible transition in leadership at UVM, it is not the only.

On July 1, 2002, The UVM Theatre entered a new stage when Jeff Modereger took the helm as Department Chair, leader of the active arts organization. As the theatre's resident scenic designer since 1994, Modereger has a long history on the Royall Tyler stage that will be invaluable as he assumes his new responsibilities.

"I'm eager to get started," Modereger says. "Our program has grown so much over the past forty years and it has become an important part of the community. It's exciting to be able to work with the other faculty and staff, and the students, to see where we can go from here."

The theatre's change in leadership comes just one year after the arrival of Jeremy Allen Thompson, Director of Marketing & Development, who is excited about the future plans for the organization. "Martin Thaler's tenure as Department Chair established a long tradition of excellent customer service and superior production quality," says Thompson. "Jeff is a great choice to lead The UVM Theatre forward, and he'll ensure that we hold true to this tradition while offering even more accessibility, affordability, and flexibility."

New programs and services that will be offered to patrons of The UVM Theatre this season include:

The Online Ticket Center: Tickets and subscriptions are available online for all performances. Anyone may visit www.uvm.edu/theatre to purchase securely with a credit card.
The UVM Theatre Q&A: Following the first Friday performance of each production, the company will visit with interested audience members to chat about the show.
The Flex-Pass: A flexible subscription now includes four admissions to be used in any way throughout the season.
Personal Service Representatives: Subscribers will be assigned a personal representative who will get to know their individual needs and will help them throughout the year.

The UVM Theatre's 2002-2003 Season will also please its audiences with an array of selections for all tastes. Along with returning favorites The Toys Take Over Christmas and A Festival of One-Acts, performances will include Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, and Cole, featuring popular hits from American composer Cole Porter.

DANCING AT LUGHNASA by Brian Friel
October 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 7:30 p.m.; October 6, 13 at 2 p.m.
Dancing at Lughnasa is the charming Irish tale of the Mundy sisters, a family of five living in a small Ireland town. While the title centers on Lughnasa (LOO - nuh - suh), a joyous Irish festival celebrating Lugh, god of music and light, the play focuses on the melody and glow in the lives of this family. Directed by Peter Jack Tkatch (The Laramie Project, Blithe Spirit), Friel's classic will ring with humor, spirit, and grace.

THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller
November 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 p.m.; November 24 at 2 p.m.
The Crucible is a chilling portrayal of the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th Century. Written in response to McCarthyism at the height of the Cold War, Miller's play examines the appearance of truth and the tragedy of mass hysteria. Directed by Sarah Carleton (Getting Out, The Miser), The Crucible will be a compelling drama full of intrigue.

COLE devised by Alan Strachan and Benny Green with music & lyrics by Cole Porter
February 26, 27, 28, March 1, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m.; March 9 at 2 p.m.
Cole is a sensational musical revue celebrating the extraordinary music of Cole Porter. The San Francisco Chronicle calls Cole "...a party you hate to see end [without] an obvious, predictable moment all night!" Guest director Bob Durkin, familiar to our audiences from Anything Goes and Sweet Charity, directs this glamorous revue. Cole is definitely a fun night of entertainment that will leave you smilin' and singin' all the way home.

THE TOYS TAKE OVER CHRISTMAS by Patricia Clapp
December 7, 8 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.
A Vermont holiday tradition! The Toys Take Over Christmas is a great way to welcome the holiday season with your family.

A FESTIVAL OF ONE-ACTS
April 16, 17, 18, 19 at 7 p.m.
Simply a fun night of theatre. The Class of 2003 shows their stuff with a collection from classics to contemporary plays and comedy to drama.

Subscriptions for The UVM Theatre start at just $30 and are now available. Single tickets, priced from $5 to $14, go on sale September 9, 2002 and may be purchased at www.uvm.edu/theatre or by calling (802) 656-2094, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:30 p.m. For more information about The UVM Theatre, its educational and performance programs, or Department Chair Jeff Modereger, visit www.uvm.edu/theatre .

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