Seton Hill University Theatre recently announced its 2008 – 2009 performance schedule. This season, Seton Hill Theatre will be presenting “Anton in Show Business” by Jane Martin from October 3 – 11, 2008; “The Bald Soprano” and “The Lesson” by Eugène Ionesco from November 14 – 22, 2008; “Life is a Dream” by Pedro Calderón de la Barca from February 27 – March 7, 2009; and “Children of Eden,” a musical, with book by John Caird and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, from April 24 – May 2, 2009. In addition to offering a dynamic season of professional theatre, this year Seton Hill Theatre is collaborating with the Red Star restaurant in Greensburg, Pa. to offer guests “Dinner and a Show” packages. “Dinner and a Show” tickets include either a buffet lunch (for matinee performances) or dinner at the Red Star, shuttle service to and from Reeves Theatre (which is only a few minutes away), and admittance to a SHU Theatre performance.

“Anton in Show Business” by Jane Martin

Theatre celebrates itself in this crazy backstage comedy about a San Antonio acting troupe staging Anton Chekhov’s classic play, “Three Sisters.” This cast of characters (all played by females), which includes a wide-eyed would-be, an ambitious, vicious Hollywood hasn’t-been, a male country and western singer, one pickled critic, and two eccentric European directors, gives this play-within-a-play the worldwide appeal that won Martin critical acclaim and the American Theatre Critics/Steinberg New Play Award in 2001. Variety dubbed this play “A smart, acerbic crowd pleaser... Simultaneously a love letter and a poison pen letter to the American theatre.” Performances: October 3 and 4 – 8:00 p.m., October 5 – 2:00 p.m., October 7 and 8 – 10:30 a.m., October 9, 10 and 11 – 8:00 p.m. “Dinner and a Show” packages are available for the October 5 show (lunch is at 12:00 p.m.) and the October 9 show (dinner is at 6:00 p.m.)

“The Bald Soprano” and “The Lesson” by Eugène Ionesco

Take a jaunt to Jolly Old England via Romanian-born French absurdist Eugene Ionesco. Drawing its inspiration from an English travel brochure, “The Bald Soprano” parodies the British middle class culture and its meaningless language. Semantics turn pedantic, then macabre in our dark and disturbingly funny companion piece, “The Lesson.” Seldom staged in commercial theatre, Ionesco’s play challenges actors and audiences alike and promises a riotous ride. Performances: November 14 and 15 – 8:00 p.m., November 16 – 2:00 p.m., November 18 and 19 – 10:30 a.m., November 20, 21, and 22 – 8:00 p.m. “Dinner and a Show” packages are available for the November 16 show (lunch is at 12:00 p.m.) and the November 20 show (dinner is at 6:00 p.m.)

“Life is a Dream” by Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Calderón de la Barca, one of the foremost writers during Spain’s Golden Age, sets this fantastical fable in mythical Poland. Convinced that he is destined to bring dishonor and destruction, King Basilio keeps his son Segismundo imprisoned in a tower from birth. Freed briefly by a beautiful stranger, the Prince nearly fulfills his father’s prophesy. But her message remains with him, and he is presented another opportunity to determine his own destiny. Performances: February 27 – 10:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., February 28 – 8:00 p.m., March 1 – 2:00 p.m., March 3 and 4 – 10:30 a.m., March 5, 6, and 7 – 8:00 p.m. “Dinner and a Show” packages are available for the March 1 show (lunch is at 12:00 p.m.) and the March 5 show (dinner is at 6:00 p.m.)

“Children of Eden”
Book by John Caird
Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Enter Eden via England, where this celebrated musical got its start. Now it’s on its way to Broadway, with a stop at Seton Hill. Based on the Book of Genesis and the story of Noah’s Ark, these family favorites from the good book find beautiful expression in the music and lyrics of Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Pippin,” “Godspell”) and John Caird (“Les Miserables”), and their home in the hearts of all who witness their wonderment. Performances: April 24 – 10:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., April 25 – 8:00 p.m., April 26 – 2:00 p.m., April 28 and 29 – 10:30 a.m., April 30, May 1 and 2 – 8:00 p.m. “Dinner and a Show” packages are available for the April 26 show (lunch is at 12:00 p.m.) and the April 30 show (lunch is at 8:00 p.m.)

Venue/Ticket Information: All Seton Hill Theatre performances are held in Reeves Theatre on Seton Hill University’s Greensburg, Pa. campus. Reeves Theatre is a disabled accessible and climate-controlled facility. Parking is free. Single admission tickets are $12. Seton Hill students (with valid ID) can purchase tickets for $5. Students from any school can purchase rush tickets five minutes before curtain, subject to availability, for $5 (with valid school ID). Groups of 16 or more can purchase tickets at a rate of $10 each with a reservation and advance payment. Purchase a subscription and receive one ticket to each of the four productions for $40. Order tickets by phone: 724-838-4241, by e-mail: boxoffice@setonhill.edu, online: www.zaptix.com, or by mail: Theatre Box Office, Seton Hill University, Box 492, 1 Seton Hill Drive, Greensburg, Pa. 15601-1599.

“Dinner and a Show” packages: Matinee ticket price of $35 includes Sunday buffet at the Red Star, shuttle to and from Reeves Theatre, and admittance to the Theatre performance. The evening performance ticket price of $40 includes a dinner selection from a special “Dinner and a Show” menu at the Red Star, shuttle to and from Reeves Theatre, and admittance to the Theatre performance. “Dinner and a Show” tickets must be purchased at least five business days prior to the performance. All dinner tickets include a non-alcoholic beverage, tax, and gratuity. Dinner selections for evening performance tickets must also be made at least five business days prior to the performance through the SHU Theatre Box Office. The Red Star restaurant is located in Greensburg’s historic train station, near the entrance to Seton Hill’s campus.

Box Office Hours (by telephone): Beginning September 5th, 2008: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended hours on performance days: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

Harlan Gallery, a professional art exhibition space located near Reeves Theatre at Seton Hill, will be open prior to all Theatre performances. For more information on Harlan Gallery, visit www.setonhill.edu or contact Gallery Director Carol Brode at 724-830-1071 or brode@setonhill.edu.

The Seton Hill University Theatre Program has a long history of educating theatre majors for careers in the professional theatre while playing a vital role in the educational life of the campus. Seton Hill’s Theatre Program offers four full-length productions (as well as a number of shorter works) each year that generate audiences of over 3,500 and speak to topics addressed in courses across Seton Hill’s curriculum. For more information on the Theatre Program at Seton Hill, please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 724-830-0300.