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BE MORE CHILL
Music and Lyrics by Joe Iconis
Book by Joe Tracz
Director To Be Announced
“More than survive.” That’s all Jeremy Heere wants out of high school. But looking up from the bottom of the social ladder, there’s little hope for the uncool Jeremy. But what if there was an easy way to change all that? Enter the SQUIP, a Japanese nanocomputer in the form of an easy-to-swallow pill. The SQUIP will implant itself in your brain and tell you what to wear, what to say, and how to act to achieve ultimate coolness. Seems like an easy choice, right? But when things with the SQUIP take an unexpected, darker turn, is Jeremy willing to lose his best friend, his crush, his classmates, and the whole world, all in an effort to be more chill? Set to a hot pop-rock score by Joe Iconis, Be More Chill is a hilarious sci-fi tale of high school and one boy’s quest to fit in.
The Eumenides
Book by Aeschylus
Director To Be Announced
The third play in the only extant Ancient Greek trilogy, Aeschylus’ The Eumenides brings the tragic story of Orestes and the house of Atreus to a conclusion. Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, is called to exact revenge for his father’s murder by the god Apollo. He successfully kills Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, both fulfilling his duty and freeing the people of Argos from tyranny. However, before she died, Clytemnestra cursed Orestes, and just as he is preparing to be king, the Furies--hag-like creatures who pursue those who have committed blood crimes against family--appear and pursue him. A dramatization of the first courtroom trial, Athena’s wisdom upholds the political and civil significance of justice through law, rather than personal vengeance.
25th Annual BC/EFA Concert
Directed, Produced, and Created by WCU Students
This student directed and produced benefit/fundraiser is a mix of variety show-style acts staring our very own WCU students. It has become a well-attended event and a campus highlight each season with a growing staff, cast, and supporting audience! In 2020 the event won the “Organization Program of the Year” Leadership Award and in 2021 won the "Best Student Club Collaborative" Leadership Award from West Chester University’s Office of Student Leadership and Involvement. The West Chester event is one of the largest outside sources of funding for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. In 2023 we raised 22,345.64 dollars!! With our donation, BCEFA is able to provide over 7,600 meals for those in need across the country.
RED BIKE
Book by Caridad Svich
Director To Be Announced
So, it’s like this: you’re eleven years old, you live in a small town and the times are dark, as they say. But you have a bike, a bike you love, a bike that makes you dream about a world bigger than the one you live in. One day you take a ride through the outer edges of your town and something goes awry. Let’s call it an accident. Let’s say it causes you to see the world anew. Or maybe it just causes you to see the world for what it truly is.
Student Written One Acts
Written by Students of THA 313
Directed by WCU Students
The Student Written One Acts is an evening of short plays penned by the Theatre 313 Playwrighting Class. Experience the plays reflecting issues and themes that resonate with West Chester University students. We are pleased to have our talented students serve as directors, designers, technicians, stage managers and, of course, actors to present this night of original student work.
RENT
Book/Music/Lyrics By Jonathan Larson
Director To Be Announced
Based on Puccini’s beloved opera La Bohème, Rent follows the ups and downs of a year in the life of a group of impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles to find his place in the world; his roommate Roger, an HIV-positive musician, wonders how he will leave his mark before he dies. Mimi and Angel look for true love as they face the harsh reality of life as HIV-positive young people, while the businesslike Joanne seeks fidelity from her wild-child performance artist girlfriend Maureen. The group’s dreams, losses, and love stories weave through the musical’s narration to paint a stunningly raw and emotional portrait of the gritty bohemian world of New York City in the late 1980s, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
