2011-2012 Season

Henry IV: Making a King by William Shakespeare—adapted/directed by Jack Cantey
September 8**, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18*, 23, 24, 2011
One of Shakespeare’s liveliest histories, Henry IV: Making a King, features a king and his prodigal son. While one struggles to retain his crown amidst rebellion, the other, Prince Hal, seems more concerned with debauchery than his duties as heir to the throne. This adaptation of Henry IV, Parts I and II introduces two of Shakespeare’s most indelible characters: the hot-blooded rebel Henry “Hotspur” Percy and the charmingly amoral Sir John Falstaff.

Hi-Hat Hattie by Larry Parr—directed by Thom Hofrichter
Oct 13**, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23*, 28, 29, 2011
Hi-Hat Hattie is a loving, candid look at the life of the woman best remembered as the Oscar-winning Mammy in Gone with the Wind. This bio-musical revue of Ms. McDaniel’s life reveals the searing reality faced by a black actress during her life span, 1895 to 1952. It’s impossible not to be incensed by the racism Hattie McDaniel faced. You will be moved by the courageous way she dealt with it. Watch as this extraordinary woman’s life is revealed through song and story-telling.

An American Christmas Carol book & music by William A. Reilly/lyrics by Gary Lamb—directed by Thom Hofrichter
December 1**, 2, 3, 4*, 9, 10, 11*, 16, 17, 18*, 2011
This musical retelling of a holiday classic is set in the 1906 Chicago world that Upton Sinclair wrote about in his novel The Jungle. The adaptation remains faithful to Dickens’ original story that teaches Ebenezer Scrooge what Christmas is really all about. And its climactic moments are more emotionally powerful and inspirational than ever in this highly inventive new musical adaptation.

Barrymore’s Ghost by Jason Miller (A Benefit for the theater)—performed by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Friday, January 6 6-7:30 pm—Gallery opening—7:30 pm performance—9:30 pm Meet the artist/actor
      not part of the season subscription—$25/person advance sale—$30/day of the show—$20 for season members
This staged reading opens up the life of the legendary actor John Barrymore in a unique, theatrical manner. The gods have sentenced Barrymore to a purgatorial existence of haunting an unknown theater as penance for his abandonment of his art and the squandering of his talents in the pursuit of fame, greed, and dissipation. Professional Chicago actor and painter Jeffrey Baumgartner (Fort Wayne native) opens his FPC gallery exhibit, “Prodigal Son Returns,” with this one-night only benefit performance.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion—directed by Thom Hofrichter
January 13, 14, 21^, 22*, 27, 28, 2012
The New York Times called this bestselling memoir “an indelible portrait of loss and grief ...a haunting portrait of a four-decade-long marriage.” Joan Didion transformed her story of the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband into a stunning and powerful one-woman play. It begins, “This happened on December 30, 2003. That may seem a while ago but it won’t when it happens to you . . . .” Adrienne Baach plays the role of Joan Didion. SPECIAL DAYS/TIMES FOR THIS SHOW

Shakespeare’s Will by Vern Thiessen—directed by Thom Hofrichter
January 14^, 15*, 20, 21, 28^, 29*, 2012
On the day of his funeral, Shakespeare’s widow, Anne Hathaway, wrestles with her memories of life with and without her husband in another one-woman tour de force. As she prepares to read her husband’s will, an imaginative portrait of the woman married to the world’s greatest writer is revealed. Nancy Kartholl plays the role of Anne Hathaway. SPECIAL DAYS/TIMES FOR THIS SHOW

You Can’t Take It With You by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart—directed by Thom Hofrichter
March 1**, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11*, 16, 17, 2012
This laugh-out-loud comedy has been delighting audiences since 1936 when it won the Pulitzer Prize. Kaufman and Hart’s most well-known work celebrates non-conformity in our society which demands we fit in. This screwball family proves the only sane way to live your life is to pursue your passions and treat everyone around you with love, respect, and acceptance.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee—directed by John O’Connell
May 3**, 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20*, 2012
N.Y. American Journal called it “a scorching, scalding, revealing and completely engrossing drama.” During a booze-infused all-night party, George and Martha’s battle to the death strips bare the stories we make up about ourselves and the pretense with which we live our lives. IPFW theatre chair John O’Connell directs FPT Director Thom Hofrichter in this powerful play. Rated R for adult content.

  • **Thursday preview—all tickets $10
  • *Sunday Matinees-curtain at 2:00 p.m.—^Saturday 5 pm performances&amash;all other shows are at 7:30 p.m.
  • The first 30 full-time students free with reservations
  • Groups of 20 or more are $15 per ticket.
  • Advance sale tickets are $20/$18 for seniors (65+)&mash;Tickets purchased at the door are $24/$22 (65+)/$10 full time students