Riverland Community College’s new season features three shows never performed at Frank W. Bridges Theatre and one original work adapted by a Riverland instructor.

Riverland Community College Theatre Director Lindsey Duoos Williams announced the Theatre Department’s 2017-18 season Aug. 3. The season is slated to present a variety of plays and musicals, including one original world premiere work.

The season opens Oct. 4 with the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Karel Capek, and adapted by Susan V. Hansen, a Riverland faculty member. In 1921, Czech writer Karel Capek introduced the word “robot” to the world in the science fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots).

Almost 100 years later, as humans have become completely reliant on artificial intelligence, technology and automation, this play rings more truthful than science fiction. In a factory that makes artificial people from synthetic organic matter, robots may be mistaken for humans and can think for themselves. You need to be powerful to control the robots, and the robots give you power — unless they turn on you.  R.U.R. is rated PG and will be directed by Hansen.

The fall season continues on Nov. 15 with the musical comedy “She Loves Me” with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joe Masteroff. Set in a 1930s European perfumery, shop clerks Amalia and Georg don’t see eye to eye. After both respond to a “lonely hearts” advertisement in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Inspired by the classic film “The Shop Around the Corner” (which also served as the inspiration for the hit film “You’ve Got Mail”), “She Loves Me” is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance. “She Loves Me” will be directed by Lindsey Duoos Williams and is rated PG.

In a first for Riverland Theatre, the spring season will open with a new play created by students, faculty and community members that addresses the topic of immigration in our local community.  Through the lens of theatre, actors will explore the stories, cultures and experiences of the people from around the globe who now call Austin home. All members of the community to are invited to join by participating in this unique and personal theater project. Hansen will direct this piece, which is temporarily called the “Untitled Immigration Project.” More information on how the community can contribute to the creation of this new work will be unveiled later this fall.

The season finishes with the Broadway musical “Avenue Q” with music and lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez and a book by Jeff Whitty. This laugh-out-loud Best Musical Tony Award winner tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score by the composer of Disney’s “Frozen” and “The Book of Mormon,” “Avenue Q” is a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good and life lessons are learned. Williams will direct “Avenue Q,” which is rated R for adult humor and situations.

“I am so excited about this season’s variety of shows. ‘R.U.R’. is an incredibly timely piece of theater that I think will resonate with modern audiences despite how long ago it was written,” Williams said. “‘She Loves Me’ is simply one of the most charming and funny musical comedies ever written, and I’m surprised in our 50 years of shows at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre it has never been produced here. ‘Avenue Q’ is a show that we’ve received lots of requests to do. It is one of the funniest comedies to be performed on Broadway in the 21st century, and I can’t wait for our audiences to see it.”

“I think the most exciting part of our season announcement is the ‘Untitled Immigration Project,’” said Williams. “I had this idea last year to create a new work based on stories from our community, and I’m so thrilled that Susan Hansen has jumped on board.  We wanted to include something in our season that would engage our audiences in a topic that is personal and immediate to them, and I think this will be a wonderful way to include more diverse voices on our stage and explore a subject that is meaningful to Austin and Riverland. This is a first for our theater department, so we will announce a title for the project and more details as the work on it progresses.  We will be holding an informational meeting in early fall to brainstorm and gather ideas from the community, so keep an eye out for that announcement.”

Season ticket subscriptions to Riverland’s 2017-18 season are $50 and are on sale through Oct. 8. Individual tickets to each of the four productions will go on sale Sept. 5, when the box office officially opens for the season. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.riverland.edu/tickets, or in person and by phone after Sept. 5.  To purchase a season ticket or to receive more information, call the Riverland Theatre box office at (507) 433-0595, email boxoffice@riverland.edu, or visit the web site and download the brochure at www.riverland.edu/theatre.

Individual ticket prices for “She Loves Me” and “Avenue Q” are $16, and $13 for ‘R.U.R.’ (Rossum’s Universal Robots) and “Untitled Immigration Project.” Riverland students receive two free tickets to each production.

Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists.  Because it reaches such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production — people are encouraged 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.

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State system, is a community college that inspires personal success through education. Campuses are located in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna.