Theatre & Dance to present ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’

The Department of Theatre & Dance will present a sci-fi version of “The Tempest” in its upcoming production of “Return to the Forbidden Planet” Oct. 27 through Nov. 6 in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for all students and seniors.

In “Return to the Forbidden Planet,” the planet D’Illyria is inhabited by a sinister scientist, Dr. Prospero; his delightful daughter, Miranda; Ariel, a faithful robot on roller skates; and an uncontrollable monster, the product of Prospero’s Id, whose tentacles penetrate the space craft.

Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical, “Return to the Forbidden Planet” is inspired by Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and is packed with such rock ‘n’ roll classics as “Great Balls of Fire,” “Young Girl,” “Good Vibrations” and “Gloria.”

The UB production features a live orchestra and new sets, lights and costumes. 

It is directed and choreographed by Terry Berliner, who specializes in developing and directing new plays and musicals off Broadway, in regional theatres and at universities across the country. Music director is Alison D’Amato, visiting assistant professor of music theatre and lecturer in voice at UB.

The cast is comprised of students from the Department of Theatre & Dance, which takes inspiration this season from humanity, one of the five named UB 2020 themes.

Tickets for “Return to the Forbidden Planet” can be purchased at the Center for the Arts Box Office and at tickets.com.