2022-2023 Villanova Theatre Season
MEN ON BOATS
Sept 22 - Oct 2, 2022
By Jaclyn Backhaus
Directed by Kristy Dodson
Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. This is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a Motley crew of loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. Inspired by actual travel logs, Backhaus’s nimble and ingenious script is provocative, laugh-out-loud theatre, performed by a diverse cast of non-male actors who infuse America’s historic myths of male conquest with a sly blast of satire.
HOUSE OF DESIRES
November 10-20, 2022
By Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz | translated by Catherine Boyle
Directed by James Ijames
In this tantalizing comedy of intrigue, Don Pedro pines for Doña Leonor who is in love with Don Carlos, who is desired by Doña Ana, who is betrothed to Don Juan. This 17th-century romantic farce is a wild tale of confusion and mistaken identities complete with wily servants and witless nobles. Written by one of the few female playwrights of the Spanish Golden Age - a poet, nun and major Mexican literary figure - House of Desires offers intrigue and insight in equal measure.
CHRYSALIS
February 16 - 26, 2023
By Kathryn Petersen
Directed by Edward Sobel
Developed at Villanova in 2019 through the Sue Winge Award for Playwriting, Chrysalis explores the metamorphosis of Maria Sybilla Merian, 17th-century illustrator and naturalist, and her teenage daughter, Dorothea, as they redraw the lines of their personal and professional relationship. Determined to be taken seriously for her scientific discoveries in a male-dominated field, Maria embarks on a risky investigation that ultimately challenges how well she and her daughter know themselves and each other.
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
April 13 - April 23, 2023
Music and Lyrics by Stephan Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Valerie M. Joyce
Inspired by the painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s stunning masterpiece merges past and present into beautiful, poignant truths about life, love and the creation of art. One of the most acclaimed musicals of our time, this moving study of the enigmatic painter won a Pulitzer Prize and was nominated for an astounding ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
All performances are currently scheduled to take place in person at the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.
We are committed to providing a safe environment for our faculty, staff, students, artists, and audiences and will continue to follow national, state, local, and university guidelines.
Villanova University has mandated vaccination for our on-campus community, increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitization, and equipped our facilities with MERV-13 filters.
Want to know more about Villanova Theatre?
Explore the area and plan your visit • Learn about the new John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts • Contact the Box Office for additional details