The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State will present the touring Broadway production of Lerner & Loewe’s “Camelot” -- a sweeping tale of passion, pageantry and betrayal that won four Tony Awards -- at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, in Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus.
This new production of “Camelot,” which features Penn State musical theater graduate Kate Turner as Nimue (the Lady of the Lake), reimagines the classic tale of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot. Intimate and fresh, the celebrated musical score includes “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” and the title song.
Featuring a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, “Camelot” is based on the King Arthur legend adapted from the T. H. White novel “The Once and Future King.”
Taught well by Merlin, Arthur rules the kingdom of Camelot with new ideals. Along with his beautiful new queen, Guenevere, he brings peace to a troubled land. The addition of the dashing Lancelot to the Knights of the Round Table, though, sparks one of the most fabled love triangles of all time.
Mordred, Arthur’s illegitimate son, realizes what’s happening among his father, the queen and Lancelot. Seeing a kingdom in chaos, he attempts to destroy all that is Camelot.
The original 1960 production ran on Broadway for 873 performances and spawned several revivals, foreign productions and a 1967 film that won three Academy Awards. The original Broadway cast recording was America’s best-selling album for 60 weeks.
Audio description, which is especially helpful to patrons with sight loss, is available for the April 20 performance at no extra charge to ticket holders.
Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist or artists, is offered in Eisenhower one hour before the performance and is free for ticket holders. Artistic Viewpoints often fills to capacity, so seating is available on a first-arrival basis.
Kish Bank and Hoag’s Catering and Event Rentals sponsor the presentation. The Eisenhower Auditorium Endowment provides support. WJAC-TV and BIG FROGGY 101 are media sponsors.
To learn more about the Center for the Performing Arts presentation of “Camelot,” and for ticketing information, visit http://cpa.psu.edu or call 814-863-0255.