{"id":161,"date":"2019-07-17T18:17:56","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/aquila-theatre-to-stage-mystery-and-shakespeare-productions\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:17:56","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:17:56","slug":"aquila-theatre-to-stage-mystery-and-shakespeare-productions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/aquila-theatre-to-stage-mystery-and-shakespeare-productions\/","title":{"rendered":"WCSU 2016 – Upcoming events at Ives Concert Park to feature theatrAquila Theatre to stage mystery and Shakespeare productions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New York company to present \u2018Murder on the Nile\u2019 and \u2018Much Ado About Nothing\u2019 <\/p>\n

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\"\"DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Aquila Theatre,<\/a> a New York-based company dedicated to bringing a diversity of dramatic works to audiences nationwide, will present mystery author Agatha Christie\u2019s \u201cMurder on the Nile\u201d and the Shakespearean comedy \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d at Western Connecticut State University<\/a> to begin the troupe\u2019s 2016-17 national\u00a0 tour.<\/p>\n

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The Aquila company initiated a collaboration in 2015 with the university\u2019s Visual and Performing Arts Center<\/a> (VPAC) and Department of Theatre Arts<\/a> to debut its national tour productions to Western. \u201cMurder on the Nile\u201d will be presented in performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, <\/strong>and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, <\/strong>at the MainStage Theatre of the VPAC on the university\u2019s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d will be presented at the MainStage Theatre in performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016,<\/strong> and at 2 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 25, 2016.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ticket reservation information for the \u201cMurder on the Nile\u201d performances is available online at www.eventbrite.com\/e\/aquila-theatre-in-agatha-christies-murder-on-the-nile-tickets-26464793911<\/a>. Tickets for the performances of \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d may be reserved online at www.eventbrite.com\/e\/aquila-theatre-in-much-ado-about-nothing-tickets-26781323660<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMurder on the Nile,\u201d Christie\u2019s 1948 stage adaptation of her novel \u201cDeath on the Nile,\u201d will be directed by Peter Meineck<\/a>, who founded Aquila Theatre in 1991 and has served as producer, director or both for more than 50 Aquila productions. The play notes posted on the Aquila website observed that this year\u2019s presentation will bring the company\u2019s \u201cinnovative touch to this deliciously dangerous murder mystery, with brilliant direction, superb acting, thrilling physicality and stunning designs.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Aquila company\u2019s original touring production of \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d during its 2000-2001 season included a White House performance and an off-Broadway run that earned \u201cCritic\u2019s Choice\u201d honors from Time Out, the Village Voice and the New York Times. The current production will be directed by Desiree Sanchez<\/a>, Aquila\u2019s artistic director since 2011 and a professional choreographer whose extensive dance career includes her tenure as a principal dancer for 20 years for the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in New York.<\/p>\n

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Both productions will feature Aquila Theatre actors Lincoln Hudson, Palmyra Mattner and Toby Miller in leading roles. Following their Danbury debuts, this season\u2019s Aquila productions will tour the nation, together reaching communities in 24 states from Maine to California.<\/p>\n

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VPAC Coordinator Sarah Renninger<\/a> expressed excitement at the prospect that the Aquila Theatre company will return to Western for a second year to showcase innovative interpretations of classic and contemporary dramatic works while affording an important opportunity for WCSU students to observe and learn from professionals in theatrical performance and production.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey provide a unique look into the field of theatre that our students could not get any other way,\u201d Renninger observed. \u201cThe cast will do another private master class with our students, and these productions offer a wonderful opportunity for the students to get hands-on experience working with seasoned professionals on our stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Renninger noted that the state-of-the-art production facilities available at the VPAC, which opened two years ago, have provided an attractive venue for performance by professional companies like Aquila and energized the local arts scene.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis collaboration with Aquila is a first step in bringing theatre companies of the highest caliber to our venues, and in giving our community a chance to experience world-class theatre without leaving Danbury,\u201d Renninger said.<\/p>\n

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Now in its 25th anniversary season, Aquila Theatre was founded in London in 1991 and has been based in New York since 1999. For the past 16 years, Aquila Theatre has been a leading producer of touring classical theatre, visiting approximately 50 to 60 communities in the United States each year to present two major productions.\u00a0 Established as a nonprofit organization and as the theatrical company in residence at the Center for Ancient Studies at New York University, Aquila conducts an extensive outreach program of theatrical workshops, master classes and other forms of educational enrichment offered at schools and universities in New York City as well as communities where Aquila tours.<\/p>\n

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For more information, contact Renninger at renningers@wcsu.edu<\/a> or the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/p>\n

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