Current Season
Announcing the 2022-2023 FDU Theater Season
We highly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance because performances sell out quickly. When available, a limited number of tickets may be sold at the door.
CRIMES OF THE HEART
By Beth Henley
Directed by Stacie Lents
Set Design by John Ehrenberg
Lighting Design by Cameron Filepas
Costume Design by Susanne Houstle
A southern comedy about love, loss, consequences, and the importance of family. The three MaGrath sisters are back together in their hometown of Hazelhurst, Mississippi for the first time in a decade. Lenny, the eldest, never left – she is the caretaker of the sisters’ cantankerous Old Granddaddy. Meg, the middle sister, left home to pursue stardom as a singer in Los Angeles, but has, so far, only found happiness at the bottom of a bottle. And Babe, the youngest, has just been arrested for the murder of her abusive husband, Zackery Bottrelle. Under the scorching heat of the Mississippi sun, past resentments bubble to the surface and each sister must come to terms with the consequences of her own “crimes of the heart.”
October 6 at 10:30 AM
October 7 & 8 at 7:30 PM
October 9 at 2:30 PM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
SEUSSICAL
Book by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics By Lynn Ahrens
Directed & Choreographed by Cindy Thole Loewus
Musical Direction by Dimitri Nakhamkin
Set Design by Maiko Chii
Lighting Design by Cameron Filepas
Costume Design by Ryan Ginter
Now one of the most widely produced musicals in the country, Seussical weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love. This is a production for the whole family, featuring a rich world and incredible characters such as The Cat in the Hat, Horton the kindhearted Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, and Lazy Mayzie la Bird. It tells the story of a speck of dust containing all of Whoville, which Horton the Elephant protects against all odds. He meets JoJo, a Who-Child sent to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton tries to convince the other animals of the existence of the Whos, but he is ridiculed and put on trial. Only his loyal neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, never loses faith in him. Despite all odds, Horton and Gertrude fall in love, band together to save the Whos, free Horton, and restore peace and unity to the Jungle of Nool. This musical speaks to the power of being unique and the importance of fighting for your beliefs.
November 11, 17, 19 at 7:30 PM
November 18 at 10:30 AM
November 12, 13, 20 at 2:30 PM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
MISS JULIE
By August Strindberg
Directed by Nolan Hennelly
Lighting Design by David Landau
Miss Julie is a story of love, power, and heartbreak—and one of the most famous examples of naturalism on stage. Miss Julie is a determined aristocrat who has just broken up with her fiancé. She celebrates by pursuing Jean, a charismatic and educated valet to her father. Jean and Miss Julie dance, flirt, and battle for power while Jean’s fiancée, Christine, is forced to determine her place between them. This dynamic play explores class, gender politics, and sexuality—and asks whether it’s possible to transcend any of them in the name of love.
FDU’s stripped-back production will push you into the room with Strindberg’s characters to decide for yourself what to make of them.
December 1, 2, & 3 at 7:30 PM
December 4 at 2:30 PM
Barn Theater, Florham Campus
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Nolan Hennelly
Set Design by Maiko Chii
Lighting Design by David Landau
Costume Design by Miranda Graves
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the original romantic comedy! Four lovers pursue each other into the woods where they stumble across a fight between the Fairy King and Queen that sets nature itself out of order. As the fairies use and abuse their magic, our lovers wonder whether love can be trusted any more than a dream. Complete with music and dance, fights and chases…and a man with the head of a donkey, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a lightning-fast and funny comedy about love, magic, and passion.
FDU’s gender-inclusive production will be modern, hilarious, magical–and a tremendous amount of fun.
March 3 at 10:30 AM
March 3 & 4 at 7:30 PM
March 5 at 2:30 PM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
INTO THE WOODS
Book by James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Suzanne Agins
Choreographed by Cindy Thole Loewus
Musical Direction by Allen Cohen
Set Design by Maiko Chii
Lighting Design by Cameron Filepas
Costume Design by Susanne Houstle
Into the Woods take everyone’s favorite characters and bring them together to create a rare modern classic by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. The Tony Award-winning book and score are hugely relevant and incredibly touching. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later. One of Sondheim’s most popular works, Into the Woods is known for its dark comedy, sophisticated music, and the enchanting world it weaves.
April 20, 21, & 22 at 7:30 PM
April 23 at 2:30 PM
April 21 at 10:30 AM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
Additional Performances
The season will feature additional performances including the Winter Chorus and Chamber Choir performance, Vocal Recitals, Fairleigh Dance Project, Images, and Fairleigh Dramatics, which performs an annual production selected, directed, and produced by FDU students!
Follow us on Instagram
