Arcadia University Theater opens its 2009-2010 season with Home a Tony Award nominated play by Samm-Art Williams and directed by Mark Wade, Assistant Professor and Director of Theater Arts at Arcadia, on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. on Arcadia’s MainStage located at the Spruance Fine Arts Center, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, Pa

Home
Oct. 22–Nov. 1, 2009
MainStage Theater
Home, by playwright Samm-Art Williams, is the story of Cephus Miles, a young farmer in fictitious Cross Roads, North Carolina who is content to work the land until his life is turned upside down by his girlfriend's sudden departure. Home, directed Mark Wade, is an exploration of the true meaning of "home" and wrestles with the notion that it may be far more challenging to cut ourselves free from our roots than we realize.
· Oct. 22-24, 29-31 at 8 p.m.
· Oct. 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.

Upcoming performances are listed as follows:

The Exonerated
Nov. 13–Nov. 15, 2009
The Chat Performance Area
The Exonerated, directed by Jim Bergwall, is being produced in conjunction with Arcadia University’s Criminal Justice Program. This compelling docu-drama tells the stories of six wrongly-accused individuals, who, after years in jail, emerged from death row to try and reclaim what was left of their lives. The Exonerated, an exploration of the dark side of the American criminal justice system, was crafted by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen from interviews with some forty exonerated death row inmates, as well as from volumes upon volumes of court transcripts. A special performance on November 12 will benefit the PA Innocence Project. Call 215-204-4255 for further details.
· Nov. 13-15 at 8 p.m.
· Nov. 14 and 15 at 2 p.m.

Princess Rescuers
MainStage Theater

The Princess Rescuers by Paige Hoke ‘10 weaves an exciting adventure tale for 2nd-5th graders. Rose loves imagining adventures with her younger brother, Elijah, despite the jibes of their older sister, Celia, who’s beyond such childish things. Things become magically and amazingly unchildish when Rose touches an intriguing oil painting hanging on old Mrs. Margaret’s wall. Mary McCool directs this delightful premiere.
· Dec. 3 and 10 at 8 p.m.
· Dec. 5 and 12 at 10 a.m.
· Dec. 6 and 13 at 5 p.m.
· Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13 at 2 p.m.

Misanthrope
MainStage Theater

The Misanthrope, Moliere’s dark 17th Century comedy gets a “makeover.” Celemine is the consummate flirt. Alceste hates anything false in human behavior. They’re in love. That’s bad enough, but they’re in Washington, D.C. in the middle of pretense, lies and double-dealing. He is a poet and columnist, she’s a lobbyist. Her lovely, genuine cousin, Eliante is in love with Alceste and his best friend—the kind, practical Philinte—is in love with Eliante. Everyone else is in love with one or another of the above and all hell breaks loose in iambic pentameter. This skewering romp is directed by David O’Conner.
· Feb. 11-13, 18-20 at 8 p.m.
· Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21 at 2 p.m.
Criminal Hearts
The Chat Performance Area

Criminal Hearts, by playwright Jane Martin, is the tale of a unique friendship spawned by revenge and half-truths. In this hilarious comedy, directed by Kathryn Peterson, Ata Windus kills time on a lone mattress in her upscale condo surviving on nothing but pizza and Dr. Pepper. Her marriage being history, she avoids the outside world by endlessly sharpening pencils. Her hobbled-together “reality” is shattered by small-time crook, Bo who breaks in one night.
· March 5-7 at 8 p.m.
· March 6 and 7 at 2 p.m.

The Physicists
MainStage Theater

The Physicists, by Friedrich Durrenmatt, tackles scientific ethics and puzzles over our ability to handle the ever-increasing responsibilities that comes hand-in-hand with our technological advances. This satiric drama of murder combined with humor and 180-degree plot twists, directed by Jared Reed, asks the question about whether we humans can be trusted with the destructive potential of our scientific strides or not.
· April 15-17, 22-24 at 8 p.m.
· April 17, 18, 24, 25 at 2 p.m.

For more information and ticket reservations, call 215.572.2112 or e-mail arcadiatheatre@arcadia.edu.

About Arcadia University:
Arcadia University is a top-ranked private university in metropolitan Philadelphia and a national leader in study abroad, ranked #1 in undergraduate participation in study abroad (Open Doors 2008). Arcadia University promises a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper in a diverse and dynamic world. U.S. News & World Report ranks Arcadia University among the top master’s universities in the North, as one of the top study abroad programs in the nation, and as a “top up-and-coming school.” The Physical Therapy program is ranked 7th in the nation.