Theatre Institute at Russell Sage College
2022-2023 season

 

Happy Days

Written by Samuel Beckett

Directed by David Baecker

September 23 – October 2, 2022

James L. Meader Little Theater

“Another heavenly day. Begin Winnie. Begin your day.” In Beckett’s acclaimed tragicomedy, Winnie – buried up to her waist in dirt – goes about her daily routine with only her handbag, accessories, and silent husband to keep her company. As her situation grows increasingly bleak, it will take all of these resources and more for Winnie to have a ‘happy day.’ Resisting easy interpretation, Happy Days contemplates themes of time, resilience, defiance, and existence.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Annual Student/Faculty Dance Concert

A concert of innovation, creativity and artistry.

Featuring solo and ensemble works choreographed by students and faculty, with guest artists the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

Run time approximately 1 hour, no intermission

Saturday, November 12 at 7:00pm & Sunday, November 13 at 2:00pm

 

Benjamin Franklinstein the Musical!

Adapted from the books by Matt McElligott and Larry Tuxbury

Music and lyrics by Michael Musial, Book by Matthew McElligott and Larry Tuxbury

November 30 – December 11, 2022

Schacht Fine Arts Center Theater

Benjamin Franklinstein the Musical! is a new musical from the team that created Backbeard the Musical! Tori Godwin’s orderly life is suddenly turned topsy-turvy when she discovers that Benjamin Franklin has been hibernating in suspended animation in her basement for centuries. When a freak accident reawakens Ben, Tori and her friend Scott must help him adjust to life in the 21st century. Complicating the situation is the fact that when Franklin’s energy drops, he transforms into a rampaging monster, desperately (and dangerously!) hungry for electricity. Can two kids and a reanimated electric zombie patriot save the planet? Find out in Benjamin Franklinstein the Musical!

Recommended for all ages.

Sherlock Holmes & The Case of the Jersey Lily

Written by Katie Forgette

Directed by Eileen Schuyler

February 9 – February 19, 2023

Schacht Fine Arts Center Theater

 

 

The wit of Oscar Wilde meets the cunning of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle when Wilde brings his dear friend, the legendary beauty Lillie Langtry, to Baker Street. She is being blackmailed and only Holmes can solve the case.

Recommended for ages 10 and up.

 

 

Ladies, How Dare You! (Suffragette Musical)

Written by Liv Cummins and Rob Hartmann
Directed by Michael Musial

March 31 – April 2, 2023

James L. Meader Little Theater

LADIES, HOW DARE YOU! is a musical comedy/farce about a Polish immigrant hired by a wealthy socialite to travel with her from Boston to the 1913 Women’s Suffrage Parade in Washington, DC, one of the largest suffrage demonstrations of its time. When their carriage breaks down near a small village and they must wait for it to be repaired, they are swept up in the lives of the villagers… and find themselves on a bizarre, life-changing journey they could never have imagined. Featuring a rollicking ragtime Americana-flavored score, Ladies uses old-fashioned vaudevillian hijinks, disguises, and Shakespearean mistaken identities to explore themes of gender roles, anti-immigrant sentiments, urban and rural clashes, and what it means to be an American.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Production Dates/Times:

Friday, March 31, 2023 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 2 pm

Junie B. Jones, The Musical

Book and Lyrics by Marcy Heisler

Music by Zina Goldrich

Directed by Michael Musial

May 17 – 26, 2023

Schacht Fine Arts Center Theater

It’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

Recommended for all ages.

Production Dates/Times:

  • Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:00 am
  • Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 10:00 am
  • Friday, May 19, 2023 at 10:00 am & 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 10:00 am
  • Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 10:00 am
  • Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 10:00 am
  • Friday, May 26, 2023 at 10:00 am