Oakland University theatre students to perform 'Doctor Faustus' with a modern twist

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, the theatre program at Oakland University will open its latest production, which is “Faust(US)“, a radical new approach to Christopher Marlowe’s dark 16th-century drama “The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus.” Faustus is a man unable to find fulfillment in any other field of study, so he turns to necromancy and makes a deal with the devil. He agrees to exchange his soul for a life of earthly pleasure, wealth and honor.

The theatre students are using a collaborative rehearsal process which promises to yield a production featuring multimedia and video projections. “We’re working hard to bring Marlowe’s text and the Faust legend into the 21st century,” said director Jake Hooker.

The broad frame for the world of the show is a dystopian near-future America with the characters living in a dictatorship. This reimagining will allow audience members to reevaluate the significance of the Faust story in terms of today’s events.

There will be nine performances between February 4 and February 14, 2016 in Varner Studio Theatre, which is located on the Oakland University campus. Maps of the campus are available at oakland.edu/map or by searching for “Varner Hall” on a smartphone. Ample free parking will be available.

Tickets are $15 general, $8 for students at all shows, and for everyone at the Friday, February 12, 10 a.m. matinee. The Sunday, February 7 at 2 p.m. and Saturday, February 13 at 8 p.m. performance of this show will be shadow-signed for the Deaf by Synergy on Stage.

Tickets may be purchased online without service fees at startickets.com or by phone at (800) 585-3737. They can also be purchased at the Varner Box Office on OU’s campus. Tickets ordered online or by phone can be picked up at the box office one hour before the performance begins. Complete ticket information is available at http://www.oakland.edu/mtd/tickets.

For more information on Music, Theatre and Dance programs and performances, call (248) 370-2030 or visit oakland.edu/mtd.

Full schedule

Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 5, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Friday, February 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 2 p.m.