USI Theatre opens 2018-19 season with "The Dog in the Manger"

University of Southern Indiana Theatre will open its 2018-19 season with the play The Dog in the Manger, written by Lope de Vega, translated by David Johnston and directed by USI professor of theatre Eliot Wasserman. The production runs Thursday, October 11 through Sunday, October 14 in the USI Performance Center located in University Center East on USI's campus.

Written in 1618 during the Spanish Golden Age, The Dog in the Manger examines a society in which the nobility does not admit the common-born into its ranks, or in this case, its loving arms.  In this classic play, Diana, the Countess of Belfor, is a beautiful yet headstrong young woman. She is constantly courted by aristocratic suitors but refuses them all.  One night she finds her attractive, common-born secretary seducing her favorite lady in waiting.  She is unexpectedly consumed with jealousy. A heart wrenching love triangle is formed and a tale of forbidden love and envy ensues. The Dog in the Manger remains a painfully hilarious comedy for anyone who has ever fallen in love with someone they shouldn't have.

Wasserman will be joined by a design team including USI faculty member Paul Weimer as scenic designer; USI staff member Kevin Gray as sound designer; USI staff member Maya Fein as lighting designer; USI staff member Andy Hammond as technical designer; and USI students Rachel Clark as costume designer and Robin Lusby as production stage manager.

The cast of The Dog in the Manger includes USI students Carlysle Dante Marie Garland, Jada Alexia Hampton, Nathan Patton, Nathaniel Robles, Rafael Gonzalez, Dillon Betz, Easton Crisp, Gabriella Rivera, Shayna Survil, Cole Henrich, Aaron Nulton, Jason Merslich, and Jovanni Olavarria.

Tickets are $2 for USI students, $10 for USI employees, $4 for non-USI students (student ID required), $10 seniors (60+), and $12 for adults. Shows start at 7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. To purchase tickets or for more information visit USI.edu/Theatre or call the box office at 812-465-1635. Follow us on Facebook at USITheatre and NewHarmonyTheatre, Twitter @TheatreUSI, and Instagram @USI_theatre for updates and photos.

Tickets are also now on sale for the rest of the 2018-9 season. Join us for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, directed by Eric Altheide and running November 15-18, 2018.  Pygmalion, the 2019 Repertory Project co-produced by USI Theatre and New Harmony, runs from February 14-17, 2019. Pygmalion will feature professional Equity actors and stage management.  The second spring show will be First Date, a new musical comedy, directed by Altheide from April 11-14, 2019. For more information on the remainder of the USI Theatre season visit USI.edu/liberal-arts/usi-theatre or call 812-465-1635.