Seton Hill Theatre is proud to present a new musical adaptation of the medieval drama “Everyman.” Considered one of the best surviving examples of the medieval morality play, “Everyman” provides allegorical instruction on how to prepare for a godly Christian death, yet its universal moral lessons provide practical guidance for life here on earth that transcend religion and culture and speak to all ages and faiths.

Seton Hill’s modern musical adaptation of "Everyman," conceived and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre and director of the Seton Hill Theatre program Dr. Terry Brino-Dean, presents the full text of the original short play “Everyman” as a story that is told by a group of college-aged students who participate in drum and story circles during a camping trip.

“We left the 15th century text pretty much as is and created a theatrical vessel where the play is presented almost as a play within a play,” says Brino-Dean. “The only thing we add are the songs.” The new adaptation also diverges from the original text by having the Everyman character played simultaneously by five different actors.

Brino-Dean asked for and received permission from the Indigo Girls to use their songs in Seton Hill’s adaptation of “Everyman.” “The music and the lyrics fit the play remarkably well,” he says. “We chose pieces that would fit best, but there is a spiritual and ethical aspect to all of their music that is very well suited to the play.”

Seton Hill’s adaptation of “Everyman” is the product of a collaboration between Theatre and Music program faculty members. In addition, Musical Theatre major Laura Stracko (who plays one of the five Everymans) served as Vocal Music Director for the production by writing vocal arrangements for many of the numbers and teaching the music to the cast.

“Rather than a frightening and lonesome journey to death,” says Brino-Dean, “our production emphasizes the celebratory message of redemption found in the play.”

Seton Hill students scheduled to perform in “Everyman” are: Steven J. Clemens of Imperial, Pa., Adriana Gissendanner of Clairton, Pa., Jonathan Stewart of Thompson, Pa., Laura Stracko of Nazareth, Pa., and Darcy Wood of Orlando, Fl. as Everyman; Laura Barron of Grove City, Pa. as Goods/Beauty; Ryan Carroll of Economy, Pa. as Kindred; Juistina Chiappelli of Penfield, Pa. as Messenger/Doctor; Sarah Danko of Latrobe, Pa. as Knowledge; Meredith Davis of Uniontown, Pa. as Angel; Michael Del Vecchio of Greensburg, Pa. as Discretion; Andrew Lease of Lancaster, Pa. as Fellowship/Strength; Natalie Moretti of Cheswick, Pa. as Good Deeds; Danielle Nortum of Johnsonburg, Pa. as God; Victoria Serra of Latrobe, Pa. as Death; Latoya Serrano of Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands as Confession; and Jamie Torres of Conemaugh, Pa. as Cousin/Five Wits.

Performance schedule: Friday, February 23, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. & 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 24 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 25 at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 a.m.; Wednesday, February 28 at 10:30 a.m.; Thursday, March 1 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m.; and Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m.

Ticket information: Single admission tickets are $12. Seton Hill students (with valid ID), $5. Students from any school can purchase rush tickets five minutes before curtain, subject to availability, for $5 with a valid school ID. Groups of 16 or more can purchase tickets at a rate of $10 each with a reservation and advance payment. Order tickets by phone: 724-838-4241, by e-mail: boxoffice@setonhill.edu, or online at www.zaptix.com.

Seton Hill Theatre’s 2006 – 2007 season will conclude with the musical “Weird Romance,” April 27 – May 2, 2007.

The Seton Hill University Theatre Program has a long history of educating theatre majors for careers in the professional theatre while playing a vital role in the educational life of the campus. Seton Hill’s Theatre Program offers four full-length productions (as well as a number of shorter works) each year that generate audiences of over 3,500 and speak to topics addressed in courses across Seton Hill’s curriculum. For more information on the Theatre Program at Seton Hill, please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 724-830-0300.