Viewpoints: What will be in store for SOTA’s Mainstage Theatre and Dance season this fall?

Violet: The Musical

The season will begin later this month with the 1997 musical “Violet” in the Corbett Theatre. This musical is about a North Carolina woman named Violet who has hopes of finding a TV evangelist to help her pray away the deep scar on her face.

The show set in 1964 discusses some sensitive topics, such as racism and ableism. Throughout the show, you get to learn about not only Violet’s visible scars, but also those not visible to the eye. The show also touches on feelings of loneliness, rejection and unworthiness.

The show has had three runs including in 1997 Off-Broadway, 2014 On-Broadway starring Sutton Foster and 2019 in the West-End. The 16-person cast show features an interesting array of music, including Gospel, Bluegrass and Memphis Blues.

I am interested to see NKU’s take on this piece and how the show set in 1964 can relate to audience members in the present day. I am also interested in getting to hear the styles of music live in a theater and seeing how the score will drive the show’s story.

“Violet” runs Sept. 23 through Oct. 2 in the Corbett Theatre. Show times include Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 at 2 p.m and 7:30 p.m, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. 

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 

The second show of the season and first play of the SOTA mainstage season is none other than Jeffrey Hatcher’s adapted “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hide,” running in the Stauss Theatre from Oct. 27 to Nov. 6. 

The play maintains somewhat of the original plot of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella titled by the same name, “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hide,” which focuses on the main character Dr. Jekyll, a physician from London who has trouble controlling the demon he created in his lab, Edward Hyde.  

I am excited to see this show, especially since the show runs during Halloween, which I think is fitting considering the type of play this is. I am also excited to see this show in the Stauss Theatre, a black box-style venue in SOTA. 

I am looking forward to learning more about this classic story and its themes of good versus evil, nature and the supernatural, and scientific development. There also has been many adaptions of this story, so I am interested to see how this will compare to the other versions. 

“Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hide” runs from Oct. 27-Nov. 6 in the Stauss Theatre. Show times include Oct. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30 at 2 p.m., Nov. 2-5 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.   

Peter and the Starcatcher

The third show and second play of the season is Rick Ellice’s “Peter and the Starcatcher,” which is coming to the Corbett Theatere stage this December. 

This show explores a once young and miserable orphan and how he became Peter Pan. “Peter and the Starcatcher” first premiered Off-Broadway in 2011 and then later on Broadway in 2012 where it ran from April 2012 to January 2013, then later made another run Off-Broadway from 2013 to 2014.

The play also has a unique spin by being a traditional play that features music, with over eight different tracks in the show. The show is traditionally cast with an ensemble of 12 to 20 actors who all play multiple parts in the show.  

I’m looking forward to seeing how NKU is going to put its spin on the show and the technical elements it will include in the over 300-seat Corbett Theater.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” runs from Dec. 2 to Dec. 11 in the Corbett Theatre. Show times include Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., Dec. 7-10 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.