The Mesa Community College (MCC) Theatre and Film Arts Department presents its 2023-2024 mainstage season full of comedy, drama and tragedy.
“Tickets are now on sale and season passes are available,” said Mace Archer, MCC faculty and co-director of the Theatre and Film Arts Department. “Theater patrons will be able to enjoy all four shows for the price of two. Plus, performances will showcase our outstanding students and faculty who recently received recognition at the 2023 Region VIII Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)."
The season begins with “The Play That Goes Wrong,” by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. In this classic murder mystery story, there has been an untimely death at a country manor. Everyone is a suspect and an inspector is set on the case to find who the culprit is. However, when this play is performed by the accident-prone thespians of The Cornley Drama Society, everything that can go wrong…does! The actors and crew battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences. From Mischief, the creators of the West End smash “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” critically acclaimed TV series “The Goes Wrong Show,” and the Tony-winning Broadway hit, “The Play That Goes Wrong,” this is the original one-act play which started everything going wrong. Expect a plethora of disasters from missed lines to falling props. Do you ever find out who murdered Charles Haversham? You’ll have to see for yourself! This classic mystery plays Oct. 6-14.
The next performance is “Everything in the Garden,” by Edward Albee from the play by Giles Cooper. The scene is the suburban home of Jenny and Richard. The only thing that seems to stand in the way of their happiness is a lack of money. Then there enters a Mrs. Toothe, who offers Jenny the opportunity to make more money than they have ever had, to buy a greenhouse and all the other luxuries that they require for their garden and their lives. Performances are Dec. 1-9.
In “Invincible Ones,” by Samantha Cooper, a group of women face what their lives look like in the aftermath of their best friend's death. In the wake of loss, they each attempt to answer seemingly unanswerable questions: Who will give the eulogy? Will they ever be able to live alone? Why did that girls brother show up? Drawing on roller derby culture, “Invincible Ones” explores the way we handle grief, guilt and a constant drip from the heavens (apartment) above. Performances are March 1-9.
The final show of the season, “She Kills Monsters,” tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister's refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres and ‘90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all. Performances are April 26-May 4.
Tickets for individual performances are $12 for the general public and $9 for students, alumni, seniors, faculty, staff and military. Purchase tickets at mesacc.edu/arts.
Season passes for mainstage performances are available at the MCC Theatre Box Office. The cost is $24 for the general public and $18 for students, alumni, seniors, faculty, staff and military; allowing patrons to see four shows for the price of two. Box office hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call the box office at 480-461-7172.
Learn more about the MCC Theatre and Film Arts program at mesacc.edu/programs/theatre.
