MOSCOW — Idaho Repertory Theatre (IRT), the professional summer theatre in residence at University of Idaho, is scheduled to present its first play of the summer season “Master Harold…and the Boys.” There will be six shows, beginning with opening night at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 5, at the Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave. in Moscow.
Additional show dates and times include:
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6
- 2 p.m. Sunday, July
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13
- 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14
An exhilarating play that has lasting relevance, “Master Harold” was written by South African playwright and novelist Athol Fugard and follows the relationship with the two waiters he grew up with in his mother’s teashop. A coming-of-age drama, the play stars guest artists Tyler Madden, E.M. Harris, and Jacob McGaughey, a U of I Theatre Arts student from Coeur d’Alene.
“’Master Harold’ makes it appear as though the hard work of conquering racism is past us,” said guest director Baron Kelly, a distinguished professor of theatre at University of Wisconsin-Madison. “It is easy to watch this play in a comfortable seat and imagine that the monsters of yesterday are secure in the closet or even vanquished to the shadows completely. My hope is that the challenging viewing of this play is to witness it and realize that the monsters have escaped again, that this play not only depicts our past but our possible future as well.”
“Master Harold” is a recipient of the Drama Desk Award, the Critics Circle Award for Best Play, and the London’s Evening Standard Award.
“The play’s powerful image of ballroom dancing as a metaphor for understanding and cooperation is what moves us as an audience,” said Robert Caisley, producing artistic director of IRT.
Tickets are free for U of I students and $6 to $26 for the public. They are on sale now at uitickets.com.
For information about other upcoming events from the Department of Theatre Arts, visit uidaho.edu/theatre.
