Tickets now on sale for SFA's 'Side by Side by Sondheim' and 'Beauty

SFA Professor Alan Nielsen plays the piano while SFA theatre students Justin Hughes and Kathryn Knights rehearse songs from "Side by Side by Sondheim," which the School of Theatre will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 25, in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of its summer season. The three-week season includes seven performances of the musical revue and seven performances of Constance Congdon's "Beauty and the Beast."

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Tickets are now on sale for the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre's summer theatre season that includes two shows, "Side by Side by Sondheim" and "Beauty and the Beast," performed in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

The season will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 25, with "Side by Side by Sondheim," a musical revue that reveals the sophistication, wit, insight and heart of master composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, said Alan Nielsen, SFA professor of theatre and the show's director.

The production features songs from Sondheim's landmark shows that revolutionized musical theatre, including "Company," "Follies," "West Side Story" and "A Little Night Music."

The revue will be presented again at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 26; Friday, July 9; Saturday, July 10; and Friday, July 16. Matinees at 2 p.m. will be presented on Sunday, July 11; and Saturday, July 17. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for seniors, students, and SFA faculty/staff. The show includes some adult language.

The summer season also includes seven performances of Constance Congdon's "Beauty and the Beast," everyone's favorite tale of love and adventure, according to SFA Professor Scott Shattuck, who directs the show.

"Kids from 8 to 80 will enjoy watching smart, strong Belle and the Beast that adores her come to life on stage," Shattuck continued. "Original music and Belle's hilariously zany siblings add to the fun and enchantment."

To accommodate the young audience members, evening performances of "Beauty and the Beast" will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 2; Saturday, July 3; and Wednesday, July 14. Matinees will be presented at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 3; Wednesday, July 7; and Thursday, July 8. A 10:30 a.m. show will be offered Tuesday, July 13. All seats for this show are $6, or $5 each for groups of 20 or more.

For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.