Comedic one-act plays to be featured in All in the Timing
University Theatre production takes stage Nov. 11-13, 18-20

We all know that language is important. It allows us to communicate our thoughts and needs to others. It allows us to share our history and our future hopes and dreams. But it also can make us laugh – sometimes hysterically.

Language, and the laughter and smiles it can create, will be the focus of the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan’s fall 2011 University Theatre production, All in the Timing. The show will open Friday, November 11 at 7 p.m. in the UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Theatre. Additional shows will be offered November 12-13 and 18-20.

All in the Timing is a collection of witty one-act plays by the American playwright David Ives. While the complete collection contains fourteen plays, University Theatre will stage seven of the one-acts, those being English Made Simple; The Philadelphia; Words, Words, Words; Variations on the Death of Trotsky; Philip Glass Buys A Loaf of Bread; Mere Mortals; and Sure Thing.

The show also marks the debut of University Theatre’s newest director, Prof. Simon Provan, UW-Sheboygan’s new Assistant Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts.

Provan comes to UW-Sheboygan most recently from UW-Marinette where he directed the university’s Theatre on the Bay. He holds his MFA in Acting from the University of Texas-Austin and his BA from UW-Parkside. He has performed on stage and on camera for more than 15 years. Past performances have been with First Stage Children’s Theatre, Tandem Theatre in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Shakespeare Company, and acting internships with the American Players Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. He also is a professional actor, having been included in more than 30 commercials and also film productions.

Provan said that All in the Timing is an exciting way to introduce himself to the Sheboygan theatre community.

“Being a classically trained actor, I have a fondness for language and its structure. One of the recurring themes in All in the Timing is language – how language is created, what it means and how we receive and speak it,” Provan said. “I also wanted to produce a show that I believe the community would appreciate. Although there is some adult language in the play, there is something for almost anybody from any background to appreciate in the seven one-act plays that comprise our production of All in the Timing.” (Note: the play is appropriate for all guests ages 13 and older due to some adult language.)

All in the Timing has provided Provan with much needed flexibility in casting, since many of the actors play multiple roles in different one-act plays. Also due to a last-minute casting change, Provan also will be taking the stage in character in two of the one-act plays.

“I’m very excited to be working with 10 actors, most of whom do attend UW-Sheboygan and who have shown a great amount of dedication to this production,” Provan added. “Along with some stage veterans, we have some actors who have never been on stage before. Everyone has been very supportive of each other. The cast is dedicated to making this show a success and I think the audience will see this come through in their performance.”

All in the Timing will serve as an example of one of those lesser known shows that he hopes to bring to the Sheboygan theatre community.

“While my main focus will be on serving those students interested in theatre, I will work to balance that with the needs of the community,” he said. “One of my biggest hopes is that audiences will come not only to those shows that they may have a history with, but also seek out those newer, yet exciting works that I plan to produce at University Theatre.”

Performances of All in the Timing will be offered at 7 p.m. on November 11, 12, 18 and 19 and at 2 p.m. on November 13 and 20 in the UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Theatre on the UW-S campus. Tickets are $10 for the general public; $5 for students and FREE to all UW-Sheboygan students with current IDs.

All seating is general admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance in the UW-Sheboygan Business Services Office Monday-Friday or by calling the UW-Sheboygan Box Office at (920) 459-6652. Tickets also will be available at the show up to one hour before show time.

The UW-Sheboygan campus is located at One University Drive, just off Taylor Drive (between Indiana and Union avenues). The Fine Arts Theater is located adjacent to the East Parking Lot.

All in the Timing Cast and Crew

ENGLISH MADE SIMPLE:
Narrator – Jeremy Jochman
Jack – Greg Schielke
Jill – Sarah Huebner

THE PHILADELPHIA
Waitress – Janine Lynaugh
Al – Thomas Hesselink
Mark – Simon Provan

WORDS, WORDS, WORDS
Swift –Thomas Hesselink
Kafka – Trisha Balma
Milton – Jessica Justinger

VARIATIONS ON THE DEATH OF TROTSKY
Leon Trotsky – Jeremy Jochman
Mrs. Trotsky – Janine Lynaugh (first weekend), Ashley Gutlig (second weekend)
Ramon – Aaron Brown

PHILIP GLASS BUYS A LOAF OF BREAD
First Woman – Jessica Justinger
Second Woman – Trisha Balma
Baker – Aaron Brown
Philip Glass – Dakota Banirschke

MERE MORTALS
Joe – Thomas Hesselink
Charlie – Jeremy Jochman
Frank – Simon Provan

SURE THING
Bill – Greg Schielke
Betty – Sarah Huebner

Austin Weber – Lighting and Sound designer