April 9, 2009
Rhinoceros. Download image.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Theatre presents "Rhinoceros," written by Eugéne Ionesco, translated by Derek Prouse and directed by Will York, at 7:30 p.m. April 22-25 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in the Alys Stephens Center's Sirote Theatre, 1200 10th Ave. S. General admission tickets are $12 and $15; UAB and BACHE students $6; UAB employees/senior citizens $10. Call 205-975-2787. Visit UAB Theatre online at http://theatre.hum.uab.edu/.
The sublime is confused with the ridiculous in this savage commentary on the human condition. A small town is besieged by one roaring rhinoceros. The townspeople debate this confusing appearance - does it have one or two horns, and is it the Asiatic or the African variety? Shortly more citizens are transformed into rhinoceroses. The trampling becomes louder until one man remains, unable to change his form and identity.
"Rhinoceros" belongs to the school of drama known as theater of the absurd, a designation for plays written by primarily European playwrights in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s and for the style of theater which evolved from their work. Romanian/French playwright and dramatist Ionesco was preeminent in the style. This year marks 100 years since Ionesco's birth. His work remains as current as ever, as evidenced by the new production in New York of his play, "Exit the King," which opened March 26, York said.
The cast of "Rhinoceros" is Muhammad Al-Kahlout of Birmingham; Brenton Bellomy of Scottsboro; Catheryn Cole of Demopolis; Julie Gafnea of McCalla; Benoit Johnson of Huntsville; Jereme Lewis of Enterprise; Daniel Martin of Trinity; Daniel Norwood of Athens; Jonathan Prensner of Colorado Springs, Co.; Elena Ray of Jasper; Matthew Sanford of Tupelo, Miss.; and Emilie Soffe of Enterprise, with stage management by Joey Kiker of Birmingham.
The UAB Department of Theatre has won the highest honors awarded to university theaters, including national honors and best in region from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. In 2008, UAB's production of "In the Blood" was one of three shows chosen by KCACTF from 300 in consideration nationwide. It marked the first time in 22 years an Alabama university's show went to the national theater festival. Faculty members in the department continue to work professionally in addition to teaching. UAB Theatre performances are presented at the Alys Stephens Center, UAB's own world-class performing arts center. Next year the department will celebrate its 40th anniversary.