A Political Thriller, 'Uptown Swing' and More at FAU's Theatre Lab

Theatre Lab, the professional resident company of Florida Atlantic University, will feature several thought-provoking and entertaining shows this spring. From "Red, White, Black and Blue," Michael McKeever's political thriller based on the first black female president of the United Sates, to "Uptown Swing," a musical revue facilitated by a 10-piece big band and a cast of eight, theater lovers won't want to miss a show.

Theatre Lab is located in Parliament Hall, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. Tickets can be purchased at www.fauevents.com, by calling 561-297-6124, or at the Box Office in FAU's Student Union. Tickets also are available at the door upon availability and all student tickets are $5 at the door.

'13 Things about Ed Carpolotti,' book, music and lyrics by Barry Kleinbort Based on a play by Jeffrey Hatcher
Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
Virginia Carpolotti is a devoted widow with loving memories of her recently-deceased husband. Though her love endures, her confidence in him flounders, as one shady character after another comes calling for the debt that Ed put in her name, and things really heat up when a mysterious $1 million ransom note appears.

 

'Red, White, Black and Blue,' a new play by Michael McKeever
Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m.
A national tragedy sets the stage as Lenora Waters finds herself about to become the first black female president of the United States. Cut-throat opposition and demons from her own family's past ensure her journey will be a rocky one. Part political thriller, part jet-black satire, "Red, White, Black and Blue" examines the upside-down world of modern American politics and one woman's struggle to secure her place at the top, without losing her humanity. A conversation with Michael McKeever, Florida's most prolific and acclaimed playwright will immediately follow the reading. 

' By and By' by Lauren Gunderson
Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Steven, a leading genetic scientist in the arcane world of human cloning, is forced to reveal his best-kept secret: his daughter, Denise."By And By" wrestles with the dilemmas posed by full human cloning. But the compelling twist in Lauren Gunderson's play is that it focuses on human emotions in a very recognizable world, rather than confecting some science fiction fantasy of the material.

'Uptown Swing!' by Wilkie Ferguson
Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m.
This musical revue, facilitated by a 10-piece big band and a cast of eight, reinvents songs we all know and love, transporting you to the middle of the Harlem Renaissance. The whole evening is wrapped in tuxedos, cocktails, elegance and mischief! Welcome to "Uptown Swing!" This hot spot club is unlike any other. Using 1930s big band jazz arrangements, we take a musical journey through classic rock. Mega hit songs like "Don't Stop Believing," "Livin' on a Prayer," and "Another One Bites the Dust," as performed in a swinging jazz club in Harlem, 1932. It's postmodern jukebox meets "Smokey Joe's Cafe." 

Theatre Lab was established on FAU's Boca campus in September 2015. Louis Tyrrell, founding artistic director of Florida Stage and the Theatre at Arts Garage, is the artistic director and Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in the Arts for this new initiative. The first season is generously supported by Edith and Martin Stein, and Marta and Jim Batmasian are "season producers."

Patrons are encouraged to come early to enjoy beer, wine, drinks and snacks available for purchase, and explore the gallery exhibition space that houses the lobby for Theatre Lab. For a full schedule and more information about the Theatre Lab at FAU, call 561-297-4784, email theatrelab@fau.edu or visit www.fau.edu/theatrelab.