JMU Theatre Stages 'What the Butler Saw'

From: Public Affairs

Mrs. Prentice (Maggie Bavolack) ignores Dr. Rance (Jackson Thompson)

September 27, 2007

George Black, TheatreVirginia's former producing artistic director, will guest direct the James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance production of Joe Orton's "What the Butler Saw." The two-act play opens Tuesday, Oct. 2, and is recommended for mature audiences only.

DATES: Tuesday-Saturday, Oct. 2-6, 2007
TIME: 8 p.m.
LOCATION: Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall

Set in a private psychiatric clinic in London during the Swinging '60s, a psychiatrist finds that his practice is being investigated by a balmy member of the government's "mental branch." Under a bizarre set of circumstances, the prevailing order of the day is utter bedlam, mistaken identities, blackmail, disappearances and disguises, frisky and simply out-and-out crazy behavior.

About George Black:
As a professional director, actor, and teacher, Black has worked extensively in regional, commercial, university, stock and community theaters and has directed in professional and university settings throughout the south and east — notably the University of Virginia where he was chairman and director of theater at times during his 20-year tenure. He also co-founded and was artistic director of the Heritage Repertory Theatre, which originated the production of "A Few Good Men," with Tom Hulce and Stephen Lang, that went on to a successful Broadway run and was eventually made into the award-winning movie.

Cast members for "What the Butler Saw" include Charlie Silvano as Dr. Prentice, Maggie Bavolack as Mrs. Prentice, Christie Jackson as Geraldine Barclay, Jackson Thompson as Dr. Rance, Trevor Wilhelms as Nicholas Beckett and Kevin Collins as Sergeant Match.

Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for children under 12, senior citizens and JACard holders. For tickets and information, call the JMU Masterpiece Season box office at 540-568-7000 or 877-201-7543 (toll free). The box office is in Harrison Hall, Room 1107, and is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

JMU Public Affairs contact: Janet Smith, 540-568-8008 or smithjl@jmu.edu.

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