The Riverland Community College Theatre 2011-2012 season continues with the comedy Ring Round the Moon, Feb. 15-19 at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Austin campus.

Ring Round the Moon, by Jean Anouilh and adapted by Christopher Fry, is filled with glamour, romance, intrigue, and laughs!  This enchanting and witty comic tale centers on wealthy twin brothers: Frederic, who is shy and sensitive, and Hugo, who is aggressive and scheming.  To prevent Frederic from entering into a loveless marriage, Hugo devises a plan to save him. The result is a clever mix of comedy and drama, filled with mistaken identities, misguided love affairs, and an unexpected happy ending.

Riverland Director Lindsey Duoos Williams directs Ring Round the Moon. The set and lighting designer is James Douglass. The costumes are by Kaye Perry.

“Ring Round the Moon is a delightful comedy that’s perfect for this Valentine’s Day season,” says Williams.  “The show is fast-paced and extremely witty, but still manages to be romantic and charming.  There’s a good reason that it’s still produced so frequently over sixty years after it was written!  We have an exceptional cast that is a mix of experienced students, Riverland Theatre veterans, and newcomers.”

The cast of Ring Round the Moon includes David Albino (Austin) as Patrice Bombelles, Kristy Bina (Austin) as Mother, Sarah Brinza (Maple Lake) as Lady India, Ben Deines (Austin) as Joshua, Sam Gustine (Waltham) as Messerschmann, Samantha Johnson (Austin) as Diana Messerschmann, Penny Kinney (Austin) as Madame Desmortes, Charlie Martin (Austin) as Capulet, Pat Trotman (Blooming Prairie) as Romainville, Jessica Williams (Brownsdale) as Isabelle and Jordan Wylde (Elkton) as Hugo and Frederic.

“What makes Ring Round the Moon unique is that the lead roles of twin brothers Hugo and Frederic are played by one actor,” Williams said.  “Needless to say, this provides a number of comic opportunities: quick changes, mistaken identities, and a little bit of stage trickery.”

Ring Round the Moon will be performed Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 15-18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

Individual tickets to Ring Round the Moon are $12 and currently on sale at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus.  Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances.  Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid student ID.  The box office can be contacted at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.

Ring Round the Moon is recommended for all ages.  Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists.  Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable.  If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.