Wright State presents ‘Mamma Mia!,’ ‘Sweet Charity’ in 2021-2022

Full season of in-person productions embrace classic and contemporary tastes
Local arts and entertainment organizations across the region, including Wright State University's Creative Arts Center, raised awareness about their industry’s financial plight on Red Alert Day of Action on Tuesday, Sept. 1. TOM GILLIAM/CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Local arts and entertainment organizations across the region, including Wright State University's Creative Arts Center, raised awareness about their industry’s financial plight on Red Alert Day of Action on Tuesday, Sept. 1. TOM GILLIAM/CONTRIBUTED

As the 2021-2022 arts season gets underway, take a chance on Wright State University Theatre whose refreshing lineup includes a classic, rarely staged 1960s musical, a Pulitzer Prize-winning contemporary drama and the best of ABBA.

The university’s return to in-person productions begins with Ken Ludwig’s hilarious, 1989 Tony Award-nominated farce “Lend Me a Tenor” (directed by Joe Deer) followed by ABBA-friendly “Mamma Mia!” (directed and choreographed by Greg Hellems), Annie Baker’s off-Broadway community center drama class comedy “Circle Mirror Transformation” (directed by Josh Aaron McCabe in the downstairs, black box Herbst Theatre), Lynn Nottage’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated blue-collar drama “Sweat” (directed by WSU alum Shaun Patrick Tubbs), Gilbert and Sullivan’s charming opera “The Gondoliers” (directed by Lee Merrill Hapner in the aforementioned Herbst Theatre), and Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields and Neil Simon’s legendary musical “Sweet Charity” (directed by Marya Spring Cordes).

“In what will be among our most varied and exciting seasons ever, we’re proud to present plays, dance and musical theatre that excites, challenges, celebrates and restores,” said Joe Deer, WSU artistic director, in a release.

In addition, the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures will present three dance concerts (fall student dance concert, emerging choreographers’ concert and spring dance concert) and two motion pictures events (Doc Night and Big Lens Film Festival).

“The elephant in the room is COVID,” Deer added. “At the moment, we’re planning to perform live and in-person, indoors. If things get worse, we’ll adjust and adapt, as always. And, we’ll keep our public informed as any of that changes. Meantime, we’re charging full steam ahead.”

For tickets or more information, visit wright.edu/tdmp or call the WSU Box Office at 937-775-2500 or 937-775-3789.

WRIGHT STATE’S 2021-2022 SEASON

“Lend Me a Tenor” – September 23-October 3 – Festival Playhouse

“Mamma Mia!” – October 29-Nov. 14 – Festival Playhouse

“Circle Mirror Transformation” – November 19-December 4 – Herbst Theatre

“Sweat” – February 3-13 – Festival Playhouse

“The Gondoliers” – February 18-27 – Herbst Theatre

“Sweet Charity” – March 24-April 3 – Festival Playhouse

Wright State Dance Concert – April 21-24 – Festival Playhouse

Motion Pictures Events:

Doc Night – Late Fall Semester (date TBA) – CAC 280 (Center Cinema)

Big Lens Film Festival – Late Spring Semester – (venue TBA)

Additional Dance Events:

Fall Student Dance Concert – Late Fall Semester – CAC Studio 170

Emerging Choreographers’ Concert – Early Spring Semester – CAC Studio 170

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