University Theatre presents 'The Country Wife'

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University theatre students will perform the Restoration comedy "The Country Wife" Oct. 23 to Nov. 1 in the Williams Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex.

Purchase tickets online: wmutheatre.com

The play contains mature content. Patrons under the age of 12 will not be admitted.

In "The Country Wife," the cunning Harry Horner spreads a rumor that he is impotent in order to seduce the wives of unsuspecting husbands who assume Horner has no interest or ability in the bedroom. Hilarious debauchery ensues.

Written in 1675 by William Wycherley, "The Country Wife" reflects an aristocratic and anti-Puritan ideology, and was controversial for its sexual explicitness even in its own time. Harry Horner’s scandalous trick and the frank language have for much of the play’s history kept it off the stage and out of print. Between 1753 and 1924, "The Country Wife" was considered too outrageous to be performed at all.

Performance schedule

• Friday,Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
• Friday,Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m.

Directed by Ben Reigel, the all-student cast includes Joe Cavaini, Paige Larkowski, Joe Sharkey, Chase Gray, Adam Graber, Lauren Ufkes, Anica Garcia-Degraff, Audrey Johnston, Alex Oparka, Curtis Elswick, Drew Porrett, Alexa Robbins, Hannah Matias, Connar Klock, Brian Wiegand, Rebekah Mitton, Courtney Green and Ian Hardy, with stage management by Helena Baron.

Tickets

All seating for "The Country Wife" at Williams Theatre is general admission. Tickets are $20, $18 for senior citizens and WMU employees, $6 for WMU students and $10 for all other students. They are available by calling (269) 387-6222, online at wmutheatre.com, or by visiting the Gilmore Theatre Complex or Miller Auditorium ticket offices. Group discounts are available by calling (269) 387-3227.

For more information, contact Emily Duguay, University Theatre, at emily.duguay@wmich.edu or (269) 387-6222.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.