February 12, 2024, Santa Rosa, CA — The Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Theatre Arts Department presents the play Orlando. Skillfully crafted by U.S. playwright Sarah Ruhl, Orlando is a delightful, lyrical, and highly theatrical adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s 1928 novel. Blessed with shapely legs and a romantic soul, Orlando is a young British nobleman and aspiring poet who catches the eye of the aging Queen Elizabeth I. For a time, life at court is interesting enough, but Orlando soon yearns for something more. In an epic journey that spans five centuries, their adventures become a dazzling tale where gender and gender preferences shift regularly, usually with hilarious results. Based on the book once described as the “most charming love letter in literature,” this imaginative fantasy is a timely exploration of love, art, gender, and identity.
The show runs March 1 – 10, 2024 in the Frank Chong Studio Theatre, Burbank Auditorium on the SRJC main campus, and is directed by Laura Downing-Lee. This will be Laura Downing-Lee’s 25th mainstage production for SRJC Theatre Arts
The lead role of Orlando, played by current SRJC Theatre student Lizzy Bies, is onstage for nearly all of the two-hour production. They portray a character who travels through time (spanning five centuries) and transforms from a man to a woman midway through that journey.
“It isn’t very often that I get to play a male role, and I absolutely never get to play a character that’s gender fluid like myself. I’m just glad that theatre is evolving in a way that is allowing me to play characters like that.”
Sarah Rual’s imaginative script is a mixture of dialogue and narration adapted from Virginia Woolf’s own words. Orlando’s nontraditional structure presents an intriguing experience for both the performers and the audience, similar to past SRJC productions inspired by the San Francisco theatre company Word for Word.
Orlando is included in this year’s SRJC Women’s History Month events (March 2024).
Cast members Kate Benton and Amar Chokshi, who are also both current SRJC students, choreographed the production’s stylized movement.
Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, includes 15-minute intermission.
Recommended for audience 13 and up.
Production Advisories: Brief depictions of intimacy and implied sexual references; occasional bright/flashing lights and sudden loud sounds.
Performance Schedule:
Evening: Mar 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 7:30 pm start
Matinee: Mar 3, 9, 10, 2:00 pm start
Tickets:
$15-$25
Purchase online, by phone, email. Also, in-person one hour before show
WEBSITE: theatrearts.santarosa.edu
BURBANK BOX OFFICE: 707-527-4307
EMAIL: srjcboxoffice@santarosa.edu
Location:
Burbank Auditorium Frank Chong Studio Theatre
Santa Rosa Junior College main campus
1501 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, California
Parking $4
Photo by Thomas Chown
Additional photos and interviews with director and cast available upon request.
ORLANDO is produced by special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials supplied by WILLIAM MORRIS ENDEAVOR ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
