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Press Release
University Theatre at NC State
May 3, 2017
For immediate release
University Theatre presents Amadeus by Peter Shaffer on September 18, 2009-September 20, 2009 and September 23-27,
2009 at the Titmus Theatre in Frank Thompson Hall on NC State’s campus. Tickets available at Ticket Central, online at
www.ncsu.edu/arts or telephone 919.515.1100
University Theatre opens its 2009-2010 season with the play Amadeus on the stage of the newly renovated Titmus Theatre in
Frank Thompson Hall. In a culmination of a two-year construction project, the theatre opens with this provocative work that
weaves a confrontation between mediocrity and genius into a tale of breathtaking dramatic power. “This is really Salieri’s
story,” says Andrew Payne, the veteran University Theatre actor (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, etc), who portrays Antonio Salieri
in the play. “It’s told from his memories. It’s the story of jealousy and guilt and the madness it can cause in the human mind.”
In the play, the established but unimpressive composer Salieri harbors a divine admiration for the amazing qualities of the
music of the greatest musical genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by another veteran University Theatre actor, George
Kaiser (Never the Sinner, etc). Salieri simply cannot reconcile that God could bless a man with such questionable morals as
Mozart with such incredible musical talents. But admiration can’t overcome a jealous rage, and Salieri vows to destroy his
rival. He masquerades as Mozart’s friend, all the while scheming to discredit and humiliate the younger artist – just as Mozart
strives to impress the aristocracy with his brilliant compositions. Eventually, Mozart descends into poverty and Salieri into
madness from guilt over his perceived contribution to Mozart’s early death.
The playwright took much dramatic license in the story of the life of Mozart. “Mozart is rooted in the minds of the world as
the crude, nearly mad genius portrayed in Amadeus. In reality, though, the composer’s personality consisted of more than
jokes and tomfoolery. Mozart was serious about his work and his relationships, and his feisty personality was only one
element that contributed to his ability to compose the timeless works of music that for which he is hailed.” (Angela Case, The
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, http://repstl.org/). In fact, recent articles suggest Mozart actually may have died from
complications of something as simple as strep throat, a less interesting story perhaps! The play won a Tony Award for Best
Play and the film adaptation won an Oscar for Best Film.
University Theatre director John C. McIlwee is directing the show. It is the first production for the new University Theatre
staff as well, including scenic designer Jayme Mellema, costumer Jennifer Dasher and lighting designer Paul Pharris. The
production staff is working on new stages and in new shops in the renovated building, and is eagerly anticipating the opening
of the first show of the season. “We are working out the kinks and getting used to the reconfigured spaces. It’s a beautiful
renovation,” says McIlwee. “Different spaces present different challenges though, and luckily we have a great staff and a
wonderful group of students who were really happy to return to the building. We’re hoping all our regular patrons will love it
as much as we do, and bring their friends!”
Amadeus opens a season that includes Blue, the humorous and tender jazz-infused portrait of a family unraveling in the
shadow of dark secrets in October, followed by It’s A Wonderful Life, The Live Radio Play as the holiday season begins. In
February, cockeyed characters in a fractured musical fairy tale dance into Stewart Theatre with Into the Woods, and in April,
“in dark, forgotten corners of the city where survival is as fleeting as the next meal,” a unique telling of Shakespeare’s tragedy
Macbeth closes the main season back on the new main stage in Thompson.
SPECIAL EVENT: On Friday, September 18 and Friday September 25 from 7-7:45 pm in the Jackson-Thiem Hall at Thompson,
members of NC State Music Department faculty and the Raleigh Civic Orchestra will play a program of Mozart in Vienna.
Arrive early and enjoy the program!
Adult language and situations. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. New York City.
TICKET INFORMATION: Visit our website at http://www.ncsu.edu/arts, 919.515.1100. For more information: 919.515.1100 or
www.ncsu.edu/theatre or email [email protected]
Individual tickets: Adults $17 ($15); seniors, NCSU faculty and staff, students, alumni association members, parent association
members and Encore, $15 ($13); NCSU students $5 (Discounted prices in red are for weeknight productions)
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Media contact (not for publication): Nancy Breeding 919.515.3105 or [email protected]
University Theatre is one of six visual and performing arts programs that together comprise ARTS NC STATE. Each year, ARTS
NC STATE provides hundreds of outstanding arts opportunities for both the campus and the greater community. For more
information see www.ncsu.edu/arts.
University Theatre at NC State University, Campus Box 7306, Raleigh NC 27695 919.515.3927