Greene County News

WILBERFORCE — Central State University will open its 2016-2017 performing arts season Nov. 4 and 6 with an original play that features a selection of William Shakespeare’s famous scenes presented with an original jazz score.

“Jazz and Love in Shakespeare,” the first of four theatrical productions, is a collaboration between CSU drama instructor Anthony Dallas and assistant professor and jazz musician Hal Melia. Students in the theatre arts program, the CSU Jazz Ensemble and the Central State University Chorus will all perform.

The performance will in the Paul Robeson Cultural & Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Donations will be accepted at the door.

The season also includes a production inspired by the 1992 riots in Los Angeles, a Mozart opera and a musical theater dance collaboration.

— Nov. 18-19: “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992”

This powerful dramatic work, written by American actress, playwright and professor Anna Deavere Smith, brings the tragedy of the 1992 Los Angeles riots front and center as the audience sits on the stage in the Robeson Auditorium and the story intimately unfolds in front and around them.

— March 10-11: Highlights from “The Marriage of Figaro”

This performance will be March 10-11 in the Robeson Recital Hall.

— April 6-9: “The Way of the World”

The season concludes with an original theatre/dance presentation of Earth, Wind and Fire’s famous song. The multi-media production is the latest collaboration between Central State and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. This will occur in the Robeson Auditorium.

All performances begin 7:30 p.m.