"Luna Gale," the first show of the season, opens Wednesday, Sept. 26 and runs through
Sunday, Sept. 30, in the Johnson Studio Theatre. "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" opens Wednesday, Oct. 3 and runs
through Sunday, Oct. 7 in the Johnson Theatre.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — The Winthrop University Department of Theatre and Dance kicks off the 2018-19 season with two productions this fall. "Luna Gale," the first show of the season, opens Wednesday, Sept. 26 and runs through Sunday,
Sept. 30, in the Johnson Studio Theatre. "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" opens Wednesday, Oct. 3 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 7 in the Johnson Theatre. Wednesday-Saturday show times are 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.
Directed by senior theatre education major Brittany Branham, "Luna Gale" is an honest
look at an interfamily custody dispute over the fate of baby Luna Gale. Luna's parents
have issues, but social worker Caroline must decide if those issues warrant taking
a child away from loving parents. This riveting, suspenseful and topical play from
Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman plunges headfirst into the turbulent waters
of parenthood, faith and love.
The production stars Maddie Willard (Summerville) as Caroline; Joy White (Irmo) as
Karlie; Noah Marcum (Pelion) as Peter; Alyssa Farris (Loris) as Cindy; Cameron Muccio
(Irmo) as Cliff; Zay Vorterstrasse (Aiken) as Pastor Jay; and Taylor Evans (Irmo)
as Lourdes.
Tickets for "Luna Gale" are $5 with a Winthrop ID and $10 for the general public on
Wednesday and Thursday, and $8 with a Winthrop ID and $15 for the general public for
the Friday through Sunday shows.
"Dog Sees God" is an unauthorized parody of the lovable cartoon characters we loved
as children. Now in their formative teenage years, they must learn self-acceptance
as a means of survival. This highly relative coming of age story pushes teen angst
to the very limits. Through realism and humor, CB and his friends face questions of
morality, the existence of an afterlife and true friendship following the demise of
America's most beloved beagle.
"Dog Sees God" stars Chandler Moore (Galivants Ferry) as CB; Hailee Beltzhoover (Rock
Hill) as CB's sister; Dionte Darko (West Columbia) as Van; Caleb Moody (Florence)
as Matt; Shane O'Reilly (Ladson) as Beethoven; Emma Townsend (Sumter) as Tricia; Kaitlyn
Dillard (Lexington) as Marcy; and Taylor Goodwin (Columbia) as Van's sister.
The production is directed by Stephen Gundersheim, professor of theatre at Winthrop,
and Lance Beilstein, adjunct faculty, serves as assistant director.
This play contains strong language, mature subject matter, dark humor and bold statements
of sexuality, and is not suitable for children. "Dog Sees God" brings to light the
real issues that are found in all high schools and has not been authorized or approved
in any manner by the Charles M. Schulz Estate or United Features Syndicate, which
have no responsibility for its content.
Tickets for "Dog Sees God" are $8 with a Winthrop ID and $15 for the general public.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Department of Theatre and Dance Box Office one hour prior to show time
or 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Free parking is available in the parking lot between
Johnson Hall and Alumni Drive.
For more information, contact Whitney Hough, director of communications and community
engagement for the College of Visual and Performing Arts, at 803/323-2399 or houghw@winthrop.edu, or visit the website at www.winthrop.edu/arts.
