Theatre Institute at Sage – Russell Sage College

2024-2025 season opens with RHINOCEROS!

Thank you to the hundreds of Russell Sage students, faculty, community members, and Capital Region theatre goers who attended our season opener, Rhinoceros.

2024-2025 Season

Rhinoceros

October 2 – 6, 2024

James L. Meader Little Theatre

Written by: Eugene Ionesco

Translated by: Derek Prouse

Adapted by: Frank Galati

Directed by: David Baecker

The sublime is confused with the ridiculous in this savage commentary on the human condition. A small town is besieged as one roaring citizen becomes a rhinoceros and proceeds to trample on the social order. As more citizens transform, the trampling and noise is overwhelming, until one sane citizen remains, unwilling to change. The 1959 post-war classic in a new adaptation by Frank Galati.

Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Dates/Times:

Wednesday October 2, 2024 at 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 5, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Pre-theater Talk on Fascism in Europe 1918-1945 with Dr. Harvey Strum, professor of history and political science at Russell Sage College

When: Wednesday, October 2, noon to 12:45 p.m. (will conclude to allow attendees to get to the 1 p.m. show)

Location: Shea Learning Center, Room 201

What: Dr. Strum’s talk will provide valuable context for Eugène Ionesco’s Rhinoceros, an absurdist drama that explores themes of social conformity.He will discuss fascist movements in Europe which motivated the author, as well as similar movements in the 1930s in the U.S. and Argentina. The talk is free and open to the public.

Into the Woods Jr.

October 25 – November 3, 2024

James L Meader Little Theatre

Music and Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim

Book by: James Lapine

Directed by: Eddie Knight

Be careful what you wish for, as Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s cockeyed fairytale comes to life in this adaptation of their groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical. Into the Woods JR. features all of your favorite characters — Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and the Witch — in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables.

Recommended for all ages.

Dates/Times:

Friday, October 25, 2024 at 7pm
Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 2pm
Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7pm
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 2pm
Friday, November 1, 2024 at 7pm
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 2pm
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 7pm
Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2pm

The Lightning Thief

The Percy Jackson Musical

December 4-15, 2024

Schacht Fine Arts Center Theater

Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Book by: Joe Tracz

Music & Lyrics by: Rob Rokicki

Directed by: Michael Musial

The Greek gods are real, and they’re ruining Percy Jackson’s life. Twelve-year-old Percy is on the most dangerous quest of his life. As a son of Poseidon, Percy has newly discovered powers he can’t control, monsters on his trail, and he is on an epic quest to find Zeus’s lightning bolt and prevent a war between the gods. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original; weapon of mass destruction – Zeus’ master bolt. Normal is a myth when you’re a demigod.

Recommended for all ages.

Dates/Times:

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Friday, December 6, 2024 at 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Friday, December 13, 2024 at 10 am & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Tuck Everlasting

February 5 – February 16, 2025

Schacht Fine Arts Center Theater

Based on the novel by Natalie Babbitt

Adapted by: Mark Frattaroli

Directed by: David Baecker

10-year-old Winnie Foster, trapped by rules imposed by her strict family, runs away and discovers the humble Tucks, who accidentally stumbled upon a spring that gave them eternal life. Winnie promises to keep their long secret until a sinister stranger arrives intending to steal the immortal water for himself. Ultimately Winnie must choose whether or not to drink from the magic spring and join the Tucks in their everlasting adventure – or continue to live a natural, ordinary life. Based on the award-winning modern classic by Natalie Babbitt.

Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Dates/Times:

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Friday, February 7, 2024 at 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Thursday, February 13, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 15, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Robin of Sherwood:

A Musical

May 14 – 23, 2025

Schacht Fine Arts Center Theater

Music and lyrics by: Michael Musial

Book and lyrics by: Matthew McElligott and Larry Tuxbury

Directed by: Michael Musical

Think you know the true story of Robin Hood? Think again! Prepare for a thrilling new take on the classic tail, from the creators of Backbeard: The Musical, and Benjamin Franklinstein: The Musical. Promising humor, heart, and a forest full of secrets, this new musical production will have arrows flying in a bold new direction.

Recommended for all ages.