2008 MSUM Straw Hat Players
The Straw Hat Players Celebrate 45 Years of Great Entertainment
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
It seems especially fitting that the first rock opera, created as a concept album at the end of the turbulent '60s, should have at its center a social and political rebel. Jesus' meteor-like rise in renown provides, as the title suggests, a parallel to contemporary celebrity worship. As his radical teachings are evermore embraced, Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of this new prophet, resulting in betrayal. Christ's final days are dramatized with emotional intensity, thought-provoking edge and explosive theatricality. Propelled by a stirring score, by turns driving and majestic, satirical and tender, Jesus Christ Superstar illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart.
June 17-20, 2008
Hansen Theatre
7:30 p.m.
BEEHIVE, THE 60’S MUSICAL
Celebrate an era of love and rock 'n roll with the fun-filled production, Beehive, the 60's Musical with 6 talented women, 1 hot band, 45 wigs, 40 costumes, and over 40 of the greatest 60's hits. Beehive, the 60's Musical is a fast-paced and nostalgic look back at the girl groups and soloists of the time featuring songs by The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Connie Francis, Lesley Gore, Petula Clark and more. You'll leave humming the tunes, anxious to pull out the 45's again!
June 24-27, 2008
Gaede Stage
7:30 p.m.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
A Midsummer Night’s Dream provides us with Shakespeare’s magical romp through the forest where enemies fall in love, an actor becomes an ass and the fairy kingdom battles over a boy. In the end, the fairy kingdom finds peace, actors perform their play and the lovers find happiness in a triple wedding ceremony.
July 8-11
Hansen Theatre
7:30 p.m.
HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE
The play concerns an affair between its protagonist, named Li'l Bit, and her uncle Peck. The affair takes place over the course of years, with the character of Li'l Bit maturing from age eleven to eighteen before she puts an end to it. In spite of the serious situation, there are many comical elements of the play, which avoids the expected condemnation of this situation to look at the basic humanity that binds these two characters. How I Learned to Drive is noteworthy for the many awards that it won, including the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for drama.
July 15-18, 2008
Gaede Stage
7:30 p.m.
GREASE
This is the 1950's rock 'n' roll musical. Rydell High's spirited class of '59-- gum chewing, hubcap stealing, hot rod loving boys with D.A.'s and their wise cracking girls in 
bobby sox and pedal pushers--capture the look and sound of the 1950s in a rollicking musical. While hip Danny Zuko and wholesome Sandy Dumbrowski resolve the problems of their mutual attraction, the gang sings and dances its way through such nostalgic scenes as the pajama party, the prom, the burger palace, and the drive in movie. Songs recall the Buddy Holly hiccups, the Little Richard yodels and the Elvis Presley wiggles that made the music of the 50s a gas.
July 23-August 1, 2008
Hansen Theatre
7:30 p.m.
For Tickets: Call the MSUM Box Office @ 218.477.2271.