Musical ‘Flora’ Fills UA Theatre With ‘Menace’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama theatre and dance department presents “Flora, the Red Menace,” a musical by the creators of “Chicago” and “Cabaret,” from Monday, Feb. 14, to Sunday, Feb. 20, in the Allen Bales Theatre on Stadium Drive in the UA Theatre District.

With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the team who wrote the score for “Cabaret,” “Chicago” and other hits, “Flora, The Red Menace” is the story of Flora Mezaros, a headstrong wannabe graphic artist struggling to find work during the Great Depression.

Despite overwhelming odds, she brings a sense of optimism to her life by creating a  haven for a ragtag group of artists, musicians and performers. Then she falls in love with a Harry, another artist and young communist, and gets caught up in a political struggle she never expected.

Despite a predatory Communist matriarch, a conspiring secretary and a determined jazz dancing duo, Flora must decide between two ideals in order to find happiness. Exploring big ideas about society, this little gem of a musical is guaranteed to restore your sense of hope in the face of great odds.

“Flora, The Red Menace” is based on the novel “Love Is Just Around The Corner” by Lester Atwell, originally adapted by George Abbott. The book is by David Thompson.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the Theatre & Dance Box Office in Rowand-Johnson Hall from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 4 p.m.  Friday, or by phoning 205/348-3400. Tickets are $10.

The department of theatre and dance is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships in the USA Today Academic All American Team.