USAO’s Theatre Arts program features comedy in Spring production: The Curious Savage
The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma’s Theatre Arts program invites you to join the witty, sentimental world of The Curious Savage by John Patrick.
The Spring production will open on April 4th at 6:30 p.m. in the Davis Hall Little Theatre on the USAO campus. If you can’t make it to opening night you have two additional opportunities to attend April 5th at 6:30 p.m. and April 6th at 2:00 p.m. The play is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service Collection.
This comedy by John Patrick was first produced in 1950 and has long been a favorite of audiences and actors for its clever dialogue, charming characters, and refreshing perspective on society. The Broadway production featured Lilian Gish in the title role of Ethyl P. Savage, an eccentric widow who is dedicated to honoring her husband’s legacy by granting his fortune to “people who want to live their foolish dreams.” Her wealthy, corrupt stepchildren: a judge, a politician, and a celebrity socialite, have decided to commit Mrs. Savage to a private mental health care facility, hoping to inherit the estate directly. While at “The Cloisters,” Mrs. Savage meets other patients, whose friendship and kindness make it perfectly clear that it is the world outside that has gone mad.
“It has been so refreshing to work on this heartfelt comedy this term,” said Katie Davis, Professor of Theatre who is the director and designer for the production. “We treat the Davis Hall Little Theatre as the Laboratory in our theatre program. Students from any major can audition or sign up to work on productions.” To serve the students who are studying theatre, the types of production in each season cycle on a regular rotation, so that a student who is involved for four years has productions of different styles on their resume and a wide range of experience. “Some of our productions are plays from time periods that are hard for audiences to appreciate; this fun show has become a cast favorite and is well-loved by community theatre audiences across the nation. While it’s an older play, audiences will be surprised by how relevant it remains!”
All roles in this production will be performed by students enrolled at USAO, including majors in Art, Biology, Psychology, and Communication, in addition to those earning their degree in Theatre Arts. Sara Baird, Adjunct Instructor of Technical Theatre, is leading the technical teams who are completing the sets and lighting for the show. Angelica Bishop is coordinating the costuming for the production and mentoring the student team in the costume craft course this term. The Carpenter Square Theatre in Oklahoma City has supported the production by loaning furniture.
There is no admission charge for currently enrolled students, faculty, staff, or USAO alumni. All tickets will be available only at the door on the dates of performance. The box office opens 30 minutes before Curtain. Tickets for the public are “pay what you can” with a suggested $10 donation. This performance is suitable for audience members of all ages.
About the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
As Oklahoma’s liberal arts college, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma provides a distinctive education in the liberal arts and sciences, supporting both its interdisciplinary core curriculum and major fields of study with superior teaching. USAO fosters diversity of thought and practice to help students realize meaningful, purposeful and productive lives as global citizens in a rapidly-changing world.