UA’s Theatre and Dance Department Presents ‘Picnic’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — They say youth is wasted on the young. But The University of Alabama’s department of theatre and dance will examine that cliché in a new production — and maybe discover that youth isn’t wasted; it’s merely seen through the dual prism of experience and inexperience.

UA theatre and dance presents “Picnic” in the Galloway Auditorium from Feb. 24 through March 2 at 7:30 p.m.

In “Picnic,” playwright William Inge demonstrates several views on youth. Characters like Rosemary and Millie long for Madge’s beauty, while Madge grows concerned what will become of her when the beauty fades. While these girls are “wasting” their youth, Helen, who is perhaps past her prime, longs for her own salad days.

For Jeffrey Tangeman, the most important thing he wants the audience to see is truth and beauty in the way he has come to view it while working on this production. Tangeman is an assistant professor of theatre and dance, as well as the director of UA’s MFA program for directing and the department’s undergraduate directing and stage management program.

“For what we all come to understand in life is that beauty is not found in our appearance,” Tangeman said. “It is found in how we live our lives, how we treat and love others, what we give and sacrifice of ourselves and who we inherently are at our core — warts and all. That is where we find real beauty and truth.”

Tickets for “Picnic” are $12 for students, $15 for UA faculty and staff and $18 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at theatre.ua.edu, the box office or at the door. Phone the box office at 205/348-3400 with any seating inquiries.

UA’s department of theatre and dance is part of the 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, Truman Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.