Theatre

Return to the Forbidden Planet, by Bob Carlton
Directed by Jon Reeves
May 14-17, 2009
Nelda. K. Balch Playhouse
Tickets: available through StageTix or at the door a half hour prior to the performance.

(all Thursday evening tickets are $1.00 and available only at the door)

 “Shakespeare’s forgotten rock n’ roll masterpiece,” and winner of an Olivier Award for Best Musical, RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET combines rock n’ roll hits from the 1950s and 1960s. The play also spoofs the greatest works of Shakespeare and is loosely based on the 1950s sci-fi film Forbidden Planet (itself an adaptation of Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST).

Technical Director, Jon Reeves will be making his directorial debut at Kalamazoo College with RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET. “Due to the brilliant ensemble, juggling both the technical side and artistic side has been an enjoyable experience,” said Reeves. He describes the musical as a “feel-good rock n’ roll science fiction fantasy with robots and aliens.” This is not your ordinary musical either; there are many times the play will not even continue without the audiences’ participation. The Kalamazoo College Jazz Band directed by Tom Evans will back the cast. Some of the songs include “Wipeout,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Good Vibrations,” which will ensure that you leave the theatre humming the tunes.

Costumer Elaine Kauffman took her inspiration from the great science fiction movies over the years. Her designs range from far-out dresses for the leading lady to a giant furry suit for one of the aliens. The set designed by Jon Reeves is made to replicate the inside of a spaceship using hundreds of feet of rope light. Even from the moment the playgoer walks into the lobby they will be made to feel part of the production, as the lobby too will be decorated as a spaceship.

All performances are in the Nelda K. Balch Playhouse on the Kalamazoo College campus, May 14-17. Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s performances begin at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on Sunday. All tickets for Thursday night’s performance are $1.00 at the door only. Adults are $15.00, students and seniors are $10.00. Depending on availability, a student rush ticket for $5.00 will be available a half-hour prior to the performance. The box office will open one hour prior to each performance. To purchase tickets in advance please visit www.stagetix.com. For more information visit www.kzoo.edu/theatre or call (269) 337-7333.