Mississippi State University’s Theatre MSU is heating up Starkville with a spring season that promises both high-stakes drama and dark musical comedy. From dystopian futures to murderous barber tales, the lineup highlights the range and ambition of MSU students on stage and behind the scenes.
The season kicks off Feb. 18-22 with an adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.” Set in a future where books are banned and critical thinking is discouraged, the story follows fireman Guy Montag as he begins to question the society he has sworn to protect.
Chosen by MSU students themselves, the production features an innovative collaboration with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, whose students designed and executed the projections that bring the futuristic world to life.
Later in the season, April 16-19, Theatre MSU presents “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” the Tony Award-winning musical about love, revenge and murder. The darkly comedic story follows a barber determined to get even with those who wronged him, set to the intricate music of Stephen Sondheim. This production is staged in collaboration with the MSU Department of Music.
“The spring season offers audiences two very different theatrical experiences,” said Tonya Hays, Theatre MSU director and assistant professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre. “From the urgency of Fahrenheit 451 to the dark humor and musical complexity of Sweeney Todd, these productions highlight the depth of talent and dedication of our students, from performance to design and technical execution. These collaborations allow students to experience the kind of interdisciplinary work they will encounter in the professional world. They are tackling complex material that is both artistically challenging and deeply relevant to the world we live in.”
Tickets are available online at www.events.msstate.edu. All performances take place on McComas Hall’s main stage. For more information about Theatre MSU’s upcoming events, contact Hays at [email protected].
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