Ethington Theatre

Grand Canyon University Theatre Department’s first play of the 2019-2020 season looks to be one of the most comedic it has done in a while. Director Michael Kary compares the comedic styles to shows like “The Office” or “Parks and Recreation,” and the cast said audiences won’t want to miss the production. “It’s very funny, I will go as far as to say I’ve never been part of a show that is funnier than this one,” said Micah Larsen, who plays the role of Francis Henshall. “There’s a laugh at every turn, so if that’s not good enough reason to come out and laugh a little, I don’t know what is.”

The premier of “Godspell” hits Ethington Theatre tonight, and offers a colorful musical experience, that showcases a modern interpretation of the book of Matthew. The music, composed by Stephen Swartz of Pippin and Wicked fame, provides a unique take on the stories, integrating forms of rock with adapted hymns. “We are singing the word of God and passages from the bible because we just feel an immense amount of joy about it and I feel like that’s what makes music in this show different than other shows,” cast member Charlotte Perkis said. The show will be performed March 22-24 and March 29-31. Friday and Saturday Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday shows begin at 2 p.m.

GCU’s Theatre Department is in rehearsals for its first play of the season, the dreamy, fairy tale-like comedy “Ring Round the Moon.” The department will change pace for its other submissions for the 2018-19 season: the Shakespeare tragedy “Macbeth,” Peter Pan origin story “Peter and the Starcatcher,” Holocaust drama “Who Will Carry the Word” and bright, shiny musical “Godspell.”

Take an early comedy by William Shakespeare, add a dash of director Scott Campbell and you get a magical production of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” complete with wizards, wands and non-human creatures. The play opens on Friday, Feb. 10, at Ethington Theatre.

­ Photos by Slaven Gujic GCU News Bureau Ethington Theatre’s production of “Our Town” runs this weekend and next, closing 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. But don’t let Thanksgiving weekend stop you from enjoying GCU’s wonderful presentation of Thornton Wilder’s 1938 Pulitzer-Prize winning drama.The show has has a perfect message for any time of year and shows us a slice of Americana while giving us a powerful message. It reminds us that times and ways of life may change, but what truly matters is just as true now as then.For tickets, click here. Students get tickets free with ID. For a story about the show, click here.      

Story and photos by Laurie Merrill GCU News Bureau For stage manager Jennifer Estrada, the message of Ethington Theatre’s “Our Town” is both poignant and personal. “The show talks a lot about living life to the fullest and how every minute could be your last,” Estrada said. “I’m a senior graduating in December, so it’s even more sentimental for me.” Our Town, which follows the loves and lives of Emily and George of Grover’s Corners, N.H., from 1899 to 1913, is an intimate experience that packs a powerful reminder: Pay attention to the wonderful things in life — before it is too late. “As a parent, it’s hard to get through without weeping,” said director Michael Kary, College of Fine Arts and Production instructor. “Coming from this side, all that time is gone, but now I have kids and I want to hug them and open their eyes and let them know that I love them because I never know when my final comment will come.” The 1938 play by American playwright Thornton Wilder is the second Pulitzer Prize winner in a row that COFAP has produced, following the musical political satire, “Of Thee I Sing.” Our Town is unusual in […]

Darrin Butters, a Walt Disney Animation Studios animator, was at Ethington Theatre to discuss the story behind “Moana,” the new 3D animated film about the fierce daughter of an island chief who embarks on a fantastic voyage. The movie is scheduled for release Nov. 23.

Set designer Bill Symington and director Michael Kary discuss the liberties they took with GCU’s rendition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m. To Purchase Tickets Please contact the Ethington Box Office at: 602.639.8880 or ethington@gcu.edu.

Not familiar with A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Let the cast fill you in on this intertwined lovers tale. Grand Canyon University and Ethington Theater are proud to present A Midsummer Nights Dream. “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Never was this truer than in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Follow the hilarious angst of teen love out of Athens and into the forest as four more of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers try to find a safe place to love who and how they please. Add into the mix a fractured fairy kingdom and a group of construction workers turned artists, and you have one of Shakespeare’s best loved plays.

If Shakespeare takes the measure of a serious actor, then perhaps no actor has a better take on the Bard than Drew Swaine. Swaine, a GCU junior, plays Demetrius in the Ethington Theatre production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” one of Shakespeare’s most popular works. The play begins a two-weekend run on campus Friday night. “I like Shakespeare, but I don’t think I’ve ever been intimidated by doing it,” Swaine says. “It’s good theatre, but it’s not inaccessible.”