University Theatre is pleased to announce the newest addition to our 2018/2019 Mainstage Season, “Carmen Jones” by Oscar Hammerstein II, based on Meilhac and Halevy’s adaption of Prosper Merimee’s “Carmen”, Music by Geroges Bizet, and directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis.
The production will run from May 3-11, 2019 in the John Wright Theatre located in the Speech Arts Building on the campus of Fresno State.
In a Southern town during World War II, Joe, an army corporal, is stationed near a parachute factory where Carmen Jones is employed. This reputed hussy soon manages to steal Joe away from his fiancée, and the army as well, and they run off to Chicago together. But the fickle Carmen loses interest in Joe when she meets and successfully woos Husky Miller, a prize fighter on his way to the top.
Mad with jealousy, Joe waits for Carmen outside the stadium the night of Husky’s big fight to make a last desperate plea for her love. When she denies him resolutely, he stabs her to death in a rage of passion to the eerie accompaniment of the crowd inside the stadium cheering Husky’s victory.
“Carmen Jones” just finished a wildly successful Off-Broadway run at the Classic Stage Company this past summer.
Ben Brantley of The New York Times called the show “Glorious. Breathlessly seductive.”
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter raved, “Smoking Hot!”
“Carmen Jones” replaces the previously announced musical production of “The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess” as the final show of University Theatre’s 2018/2019 season.
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 