Released: October 8, 2009
Lincoln, Neb. - University Theatre, the academic production program of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film opens its season October 8 with George Bernard Shaw’s You Never Can Tell directed by Emeriti Professor Dr. Tice L. Miller. Additional performances are October 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 all at 7:30 p.m. and October 18 at 2:00 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, first floor Temple Building, 12th and R Streets. Tickets are $16, $14 faculty/staff and senior citizen, $10 students with ID. Tickets are available at the Lied Center Ticket Office, 301 N. 12th Street Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and one hour prior to performances in the Temple Theatres Lobby. Ticket purchases with Visa and MasterCard may be made by calling 402-472-4747 or 800-432-3231. Tickets may also be purchased with a credit card at www.unltheatretickets.com.
Mix love, marriage and a long-estranged father and you get a charming and deliciously witty treatment of Victorian English society’s battle of the sexes. From the blabbermouth sister to the radical feminist, or the unrequited lover to the grouchy father, there is a character in this show that everyone should recognize. Where else can you encounter love-at-first-sight, the luncheon from hell, meeting your estranged father and going to the dentist and a ball—all on the same day?
You Never Can Tell is a four-act light and witty treatment of the follies of being human especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. Set in an English seaside resort, the Clandons, a long-fractured family, have just returned from an eighteen-year stay in Madeira. The children, Dolly, Phillip and Gloria have no idea who their father is and through a comedy of errors end up meeting him. You Never Can Tell juxtaposes faded love with love-at-first sight while poking a little fun at Victorian social mores and the frustrated plight of women. Gloria becomes smitten with a young dentist named Valentine although she claims to be a modern woman who has no interest in the conventional roles. Shaw, famous for delivering “lessons” in his plays, pokes fun at the English class system as “William” the Waiter is far superior to any character in wit, wisdom and diplomacy to the so-called upper classes. Humans make dreadful mistakes, posits Shaw, in the process, but sometimes have fun in spite of ourselves.
The production is designed by graduate student Emily Parker (costumes), undergraduates Harrison Hohnholt (lights) and Erica King (sound). Adjunct faculty member Ahna Packard designs the scenery. The production is stage managed by undergraduate Emily Wall.
The all undergraduate cast includes Logan Pietz as Valentine, Stephanie Bourgeois as Dolly, Hunter Larrison as Philip, Calandra Daby as Mrs. Clandon, Jessica Merideth as Gloria, Patrick Zatloukal as Mr. Crampton, Jordan Deffenbaugh as Finch M’Comas, Trent Stork as the Waiter, Gage Wallace as Bohun and Jessie Tidball as the Maid.