Student productions hit area stages this weekend

William Toth of Toledo (left) and Kenneth Taylor of Toledo rehearse a scene from Owens' upcoming "Noises Off" theater production.

Students and community members will offer an entertaining variety this weekend as four area universities and colleges fill stages with drama, dance, and comedy.

Ghost Light

About 60 students have taken part in the University of Toledo's Ghost Light production opening Friday.

"It was devised by UT students in the Department of Theatre and Film. We started creating it last semester in a multimedia production class," said Edmund Lingan, assistant professor of theater who is directing with Megan Aherne, a UT alumna.

The 80-minute production features four episodes of autobiographical material written and performed by the students.

"I would emphasize that 85 to 90 percent of the script is left as the students wrote it. We tried to lighten it up with style and performance, and there are a lot of comic elements written into the piece. We've moved away from the autobiographical and sort of set it into a fantasy world with strange costumes, strange objects, and strange projections," Lingan said.

A puppet acts as a medium to bring to life the characters who tell their story so they can relive and learn from their former lives. Students are involved in every aspect of the production behind the scenes and onstage.

Lingan composed the music for the piece and smoothed out the rough edges in the script.

"It should also be known that they are college students writing about their life; some material is kind of intense," he said.

"Ghost Light" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through April 20 at the University of Toledo Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre, Towerview West and West Rocket Drive. Additional performances will be at 2 p.m. Sunday and April 21 and at 7:30 p.m. April 17 and April 18. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and alumni, and $7 for students. Information: utoledo.edu/BoxOffice or 419-530-2375.

Noisy Production

Owens Community College students and community members will open the comedy Noises Off Friday on campus.

This Michael Frayn comedy was inspired by the antics backstage involving performers trying to present the production Nothing On.

"Noises Off" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through April 20 at Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre, 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg. Matinee performances will be at 3 p.m. Sunday and April 21. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for Owens students and employees. Information: 567-661-2787 or owens.edu/arts.

Springtime

Monroe County Community College ushers in spring Saturday and Sunday with Bringtime Springtime.

The Inside Out Dance Ensemble will perform dramatic duos and dangerous duels. A rain dance under the direction of Kellie Lajiness is included in the performance as well as comedic dance combinations.

"Bringtime Springtime" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Monroe County Community College La-Z-Boy Center Meyer Theater, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe. Tickets are $12. Information: 734-384-4274 or monroeccc.edu.

Curious Savage

Tiffin University's Dragons Den Players delve into a family's $10 million problem this weekend when it presents The Curious Savage. Mrs. Savage is left with a hefty inheritance from her late husband and wants to put it to good use. Her stepchildren have other designs and get the widow committed to a sanatorium in this John Patrick comedy.

"The Curious Savage" will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday in Tiffin University's Gillmor Student Center Osceola Theatre, 155 Miami St., Tiffin. Tickets are $4 at the door. Information: 419-448-3376.

Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com.