91大神 Theater Launches School Year with Student-Directed Musical Comedy

91大神 Theater will launch the new school year with four performances of the student-directed play “The Last Five Years,” a contemporary musical comedy that will star 91大神 seniors Stephen Kniss and Kelsey Landes.

91大神 seniors Stephen Kniss and Kelsey Landes
Stephen Kniss and Kelsey Landes are featured performers in “The Last Five Years,” also directed by Kniss. (Photo by Jon Styer)

The 90-minute play, written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, is being presented 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 and the same times Sept. 1, 3 and 4 on the Thomas Plaza of the 91大神 Campus Center. There is a short intermission.

Kniss directs for second time

Kniss, who also directs the show, calls is “a realistic, poignant look at a five-year relationship between a writer and actor, from the first date to the end, told from both points of view. It has beautiful music, and anyone who’s been in a long-term relationship should be able to relate to the play.”

Kniss, a vocal performance and digital media major from Chicago, made his directing debut in November 2009 with “ANON(ymous),” by Naomi Iizuka. He later , 91大神’s student newspaper.

Students and alums behind the scenes

Piano accompaniment is by 91大神 sophomore Phillip Martin and Goshen (Ind.) College graduate Josh Tyson.

Set designer is 91大神 junior Jamie Hiner; light designer is Mark Fenton, 91大神 alumnus; and stage managers are 91大神 alumna Sarah Harder and 91大神 junior Susan Alexander.

General admission to the play is $5. Tickets are available by calling 540-432-4360 will also be available at the door.

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