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Arts at ASU to Present ‘The Curious Savage’

June 18, 2012

Angelo State University’s Arts at ASU program will open its summer dinner theatre season with a timeless tale of greed and insanity, “The Curious Savage,” beginning Thursday, June 28, in the ASU Modular Theatre.

Show times will be at 8 p.m. June 28-30 and July 5-7, with dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m.  A special matinee performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, with dinner served at 12:45 p.m.

Tickets are $12.50 for ASU students and ASU activity card holders, $15 for non-ASU students and Arts at ASU subscribers, and $20 general admission. The Modular Theatre is located in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, 2602 Dena Drive.

The first of two Arts at ASU summer dinner theatre productions, “The Curious Savage,” features Mrs. Ethel P. Savage, who was left $10 million by her late husband.  The widow plans to help others with the money, but her adult stepchildren have other ideas.  They cannot immediately get their hands on the money, so they have her committed to a sanatorium hoping it will “bring her to her senses.” 

The comedic take on the heirs’ avarice and the mental hospital’s other residents leads the audience to wonder if the hospital has the wrong people inside its walls.  Savage sends her step-brood on wild goose chases looking for the negotiable bonds that contain her fortune only to have them come back empty-handed.  A couple of plot twists later, the lights go out and chaos ensues. 

Written by John Patrick, “The Curious Savage” debuted in New York in 1950. 

Dr. Terry Lewis, professor of theatre and director of the University Theatre at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is the guest director.   Lewis directed the Arts at ASU’s rendition of “Barefoot in the Park” last summer. 

The ASU student cast includes Sarah K. Phillips as Ethel Savage, Amanda Mitchell as Florence, Brandon Jones as Hannibal, Rebecca Cashin as Fairy May, Sawyer Hirt as Jeffery, Joe Villedas as Mr. Paddy, Lance Levi Turner as Titus, Michael “Pugs” Loftis as Samuel, Jordon Shocklee as Lilly Belle, Heather Walker as Miss Wilhelmina and Brian Nicholas Carter as Dr. Emmet.

The production crew includes Eldra Sanford, costumer and costume designer; Matt Smith, technical director and set designer; Jacob Scott, stage manager; Laurie Proveaux, assistant stage manager; Tiana Sefcik, sound board operator and painter/carpenter; Janna Pinson, master electrician; Jacque Stewart, properties manager; and Amber Horton, wardrobe manager.

Reservations are now available by calling the ASU box office at 942-2000 from 2-6 p.m. weekdays.  All tickets must be sold in advance and paid for within 48 hours of the show.  Reservations should be made approximately 10 days before the desired show, and cancellations must be made in advance.

Season subscriptions for the 2012-13 Arts at ASU season are now available for $30, which entitles holders to free admission to plays and musicals, and $15 tickets for dinner theatres.  For more information on “The Curious Savage” and/or season subscriptions, call 325-942-2146.