The theatre arts department at City College is expected to bring a plethora of exciting shows to both the Garvin and Jurkowitz Theatres this year, providing opportunities for everyone involved.
Film majors, actors, and directors have endless possibilities to explore in the theatre arts department. Everything from cosmetics, acting, directing, and even behind-the-scenes work such as lighting, stage, and costume design. About to embark on 80 years of running shows, the theatre arts department is preparing to entertain the City College community this year with never-before-seen concepts unveiled in this year’s set of productions.
Katie Laris, the associate professor of acting and directing and theatre arts department co-chair, provided insight into the vibrant and interconnected theater community on our campus.
“When I’m working on something in theatre that’s my favorite,” Laris said.
The department showcases inclusivity by allowing anyone to audition. There is only one play a year that is reserved for students, while the rest are open to the public to act and direct in.
“The goal for me is just to uplift people,” Theatre Manager Pamela Lasker said. “There is a spot for everyone in the theater.”
The Garvin Theatre and the Jurkowitz Theatre, where all of the City Colleges plays are held, take place on West Campus right behind the West Campus Center.
“The Garvin Theatre is a 385-seat house while the Jurkowitz Theatre is a 100-seat house which serves as a more intimate atmosphere,” Laris said. “This year the play “Crime and Punishment” will be shown in the Jurkowitz Theatre.”
This play is centered around the audience, as it serves to be a physical comedy.
The first show of the year, “Lost in Yonkers”, is set in the 1940s and penned by Neil Simon. The play follows two teenage brothers, Jay and Artie Kurnitz, who are abruptly sent to live with their strict grandmother and a host of eccentric relatives. As they navigate their new life in Yonkers, they encounter unexpected adventures and uncover long-buried secrets.
Performances for this first show will be held from Oct. 9 through Oct. 26 in the Garvin Theatre on the City Colleges’ West Campus. Performance times are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.. An additional performance will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13 and captioned for anyone with impaired hearing.
“Other shows hitting the theater this year are “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge”, “Sherwood”, and “Crime and Punishment”, with the summer play remaining unknown as of right now,” Laris said .
The student showcase production, “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge” by Christopher Durang, showcases Nov. 13 through Nov. 23. As Scrooge’s chaotic Christmas journey whirls through a series of festive mishaps, the production offers an immersive experience.
The next play, Ken Ludwig’s “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” hits the Garvin Theatre from Feb. 26 until March 15 2025. This play is a more comedic and romantic spin of the famous and familiar story of Robinhood. An adaptation, crafted by Ken Ludwig, makes this a more fast-paced story.
The last show put on by the theatre arts department will take place in the Jurkowitz Theatre. The last show is “Crime and Punishment”, which is based very loosely on the book, “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Credited to Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, this play will be shown from April 16 until May 3, 2025. Dostoevsky’s classic is reimagined as a 90-minute comedy.
This lively adaptation turns the story of Raskolnikov, an impoverished student who turns to murder, into a fast-paced and funny adventure. Including over 50 quirky characters, the show blends humor with heart in a dynamic performance that includes both the actors and the audience.
