Productions

The Miss Firecracker Contest, by Beth Henley, tells the story of Carnelle, a sweet and determined young woman who thinks that winning the annual beauty contest in her small Mississippi town will make people forget about her somewhat sordid past and finally garner her the respect she’s always deserved. She is aided in her pursuit by her cousin, Elain, a former Miss Firecracker, Elain’s brother Delmont, recently released from a mental institution, and a bizarre but completely endearing seamstress named Popeye. We are certain that this play will not only remind our audiences why Beth Henley is such a highly acclaimed playwright, but also encourage us all to think more deeply about our own perceptions of “beauty” and the unfortunate effect those perceptions can sometimes have on a person’s self worth. Mrs. Howard will direct. Show dates are October 21st through the 24th.

Shakespeare’s well known comedy, Much Ado About Nothing, should prove to be an adventure for the students who have the opportunity to work on this show. The story begins in Messina, as Leonato is planning his daughter, Hero’s wedding to the gallant, young Claudio. When the lovers decide to conspire with Don Pedro to set a "lover's trap" for their friend, Benedick, an arrogant soldier determined to be a life long bachelor, and Beatrice, Hero’s quick witted cousin who has no intention of marrying "till God make men of some other metal than earth,” their true feelings are revealed and a big, juicy “ado” is set in motion. But as is the case in most of Shakespeare’s plays, the joyful banter and communal happiness doesn’t last long when a jealous interloper plots to destroy the wedding and the lives of the key players by accusing Hero of infidelity. In order for this play to be classified a comedy, however, all is resolved and the whole mess turns out to be "much ado about nothing." Still, the relationships in this play are deep and rich and the language even deeper and richer. Miss Minner will direct. Show dates are December 9th through the 12th.

We are uncommonly thrilled and proud to announce that we will produce a new play written by J.C. Lee, tentatively titled The Inexplicable Disappearance of Hector Villaraigosa. Some may remember Mr. Lee as a former instructor at LVPA who left a few years back to pursue opportunities on the west coast, but Mr. Lee will be back east this year having received a Lila Acheson Wallace Playwriting Fellowship from the Julliard School. A playwright, director, and the Founding Artistic Director of the Omicron Theatre Project, Mr. Lee is the winner of multiple awards for his essays, plays and poetry. His awards include the Ballie Award for the Essay (2004), the Savage Poetry Prize (2004), the Fuller Fiction Award (2004 & 2005), 2nd Place for the National New Play Award from the Kennedy Center (2005), Semi-Finalist in the Harriet Lake New Play Competition (2006) and a dual finalist for the National New Playwright Inc. Annual Competition (2001). Mr. Morris will have the honor to direct this piece. Show dates are February 24th through the 27th.

Chicago, music by John Kander and lyrics and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. No doubt LVPA students of all majors will have a blast tackling this well known tale of corruption, set in the 1920’s, poking fun at the criminal justice system and the media’s desire for “celebrity criminals.” Show dates are April 13th through the 17th.

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