Current Season
Announcing the 2023-2024 FDU Theater Season
We recommend purchasing tickets online in advance because performances sell out quickly.
When available, tickets are sold at the door.
LYSISTRATA
By Aristophanes
Directed by Nolan Hennelly
Set Design by Maiko Chi
Lighting Design by David Landau
Costume Design by Miranda Graves
No peace? No Sex! It takes a woman to stop a war, and Lysistrata is that woman. With her home of Athens engaged in endless battle, Lysistrata enlists a group of women to abandon the beds of their war-obsessed husbands in an attempt to end the fighting. Written by Aristophanes in 411 BC, Lysistrata is likely the first anti-war comedy ever written, using humor to challenge male authority in a patriarchal society.
Lysistrata has earned its place in history by being provocative, risqué, thought-provoking, and…downright hilarious.
This production will bring FDU Theater’s modern sensibilities, passions, and language to ancient Greece for a knock-down, drag-out, world-famous battle of the sexes.
Content Warning: This production is not suitable for young audiences due to adult themes and language.
October 5 at 10:30 a.m. (Preview)
October 6 and 7 at 7:30 PM
October 8 at 2:30 PM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
A CLASS ACT
Music and Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Book by Linda Kline & Lonny Price
Directed & Choreographed by Cindy Thole Loewus
Musical Direction by Allen Cohen
Set Design by John Ehrenberg
Lighting Design by Cameron Filepas
Costume Design by Susanne Houstle
Sound Design by Matt Feeney
This vibrant musical is based on the real life of Ed Kleban, the songwriter and lyricist best known for his work on A Chorus Line. He had his promising career cut short by cancer at age 48. A Class Act was written to honor the man, his music, and everyone who touched his life.
Using his own beautiful songs, A Class Act tells the story of Kleban’s successes, failures, and struggles, including his struggle with mental illness.
When Ed’s friends gather at his memorial, Ed makes a surprise trip from “the beyond” to hear what he expects to be their loving tributes. Instead, he is shocked by their criticism. Determined to set the record straight, Ed shadows the speakers at the memorial as they relive scenes from his life, told with his own songs. This surprising and touching musical gives Ed and his music the recognition they deserve—and offers audiences an insider’s look at the person behind the art.
December 7 at 10:30 AM (Preview)
December 8 and 9 at 7:30 PM
December 10 at 2:30 PM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
A NEW PLAY
by Stacie Lents
Directed by Lauren Shields
Set Design by John Ehrenberg
Lighting Design by Cameron Filepas
Costume Design by Samantha Lewis
This play will be a new, contemporary production completed as part of a commission for Prison Performing Arts’ National New Plays Initiative. The professional production of Prof. Lents’ previous commission for PPA was nominated for a St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Outstanding New Play.
This play will look at freedom and all the ways in which it is restricted, bartered, and fought for in our society every day and will ask the question: what does it take to be truly free in America? Casting will be flexible as all roles are being written to be played by any gender. By special permission, FDU’s theater students will be the first cast and crew to present this production before it goes on to be produced professionally and by incarcerated artists as part of Prof. Lents’ commission.
February 29 at 10:30 AM (Preview)
February 29 at 7:30 PM
March 1, 2 and 4 at 7:30 PM
March 2 at 10:30 PM (Special Late-Night Performance)
March 3 at 2:30 PM
Barn Theater, Florham Campus
9 to 5
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick
Directed by Nolan Hennelly
Choreographed by Cindy Thole Loewus
Musical Direction by Dimitri Nakhamkin
Set Design by Maiko Chi
Lighting Design by Cameron Filepas
Costume Design by Susanne Houstle
Sound Design by Matt Feeney
Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, based on the hit movie, is a non-stop joyride of love, friendship and what it takes to set your own place at the table. Coming together in the male-dominated office world of the 1970s, three women team up to break through the glass ceiling and run their sexist bully of a boss out of town. But taking things over while their boss is…indisposed might not be as simple as they first thought.
With laugh-out-loud humor, office romance, and a whole lot of heart, 9 to 5 makes getting even a lot of fun. And you’ll be singing Dolly Parton’s unforgettable songs all the way home!
April 18 at 10:30 a.m. (Preview)
April 19 and 20 at 7:30 PM
April 20 and 21 at 2:30 PM
Dreyfuss Theater, Florham Campus
Additional Performances
The season will feature additional performances including:
- The Winter Chorus, Band, and Chamber Choir performance
- Vocal Recitals
- Fairleigh Dance Project
- School of the Arts Images Festival
- Fairleigh Dramatics, which performs an annual production selected, directed, and produced by FDU students!
*Any FDU student needing financial assistance to purchase a ticket, please contact KatePM@fdu.edu.
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