MiraCosta College Theatre Celebrates 50th Year with 'The Graduate'

In celebration of 50 years of high-caliber productions, MiraCosta College’s Theatre Department begins its 2014-15 season with a story that also dates back to the 1960s, “The Graduate.” The play opens September 26 at the MiraCosta College Theatre, located at 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside. Eric Bishop will direct.

“The Graduate” is a stage adaptation of the 1967 Oscar-winning film, which was based on the 1963 novel by Charles Webb. This coming-of-age story centers on Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate whose life has no direction. Chaos confronts Benjamin when he encounters the attractive Mrs. Robinson, a much older woman, and her beautiful daughter Elaine. At turns terrifically funny and incredibly dark, “The Graduate” is sure to resound with modern audiences, and with those seeking to find their place in the world.

“It only seemed natural to find something that was set in the 1960s and ‘The Graduate’ immediately jumped out at me,” Bishop says. “Not only was it set in 1964 Southern California, but it represented the era culturally, historically and aesthetically.”

The cast features Christopher Badillo as Benjamin Braddock, Rosie Gordon as the iconic Mrs. Robinson, and Lainey Woo as Elaine Robinson. Rounding out the cast are Steven Garretson, Cassidy Mitchell, Carol Naegele, Shelby Caughron, Jose Vincente, Reden Magtira, Matt Abosamra, Alex Smith, Emily Scibetta, Kyle Dowdy, Sarah Graciano, Maggie Willett, and Justin Carty.

“The Graduate” is scheduled for September 26, 27 and October 2, 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m. and September 27, 28 and October 4, 5 at 2 p.m. General admission is $15; seniors/staff, $12; students, $10. A preview performance is scheduled for September 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the preview performance are $10 for all seats.

Tickets are available online at www.miracosta.edu/buytix or by calling the MiraCosta College Box Office at 760.795.6815.