USAO’s NY Trip Includes ‘Frankenstein,’ Twain Comedy

CHICKASHA – Campus and community members are in for a monster of a good time this spring when the University of Science and Arts heads to the Big Apple for the annual New York trip. Tour directors recently announced two new Broadway shows that will be included in the price of the tour.

While one play asks, “Is He Dead?” the other play answers with a resounding, “It’s aliiiiive!!” The New York trip, scheduled May 20-25, features stops on Broadway to see Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” and Mark Twain’s newly discovered “Is He Dead?”

The annual spring art and theatre tour is open to the public, and reservations are being accepted through Feb. 11 to guarantee a spot, with the balance due March 24.

“The trip is open for everyone and is a wonderful opportunity to see New York City, which is very tourist friendly,” said Jacquelyn Knapp, assistant professor of art and tour co-leader. “There is something for everyone in the Big Apple.”

Comic veteran Mel Brooks’ 1974 hit monster film jumps from the silver screen to the Broadway stage in “Young Frankenstein,” a new musical comedy of sci-fi proportions. When metropolitan brain surgeon Frederick Frankenstein inherits a castle and laboratory in Transylvania, he embraces his family’s tortured past and reanimates Hollywood’s most famous monster for a rousing performance of “Putting on the Ritz.” Things go haywire when Frankenstein’s creation goes on the fritz in this classic story, retuned with new songs and plenty of memorable scenes that made the original movie a cult classic.

The all-star cast includes Megan Mullally, best known for her award-winning portrayal of Karen Walker on TV’s “Will & Grace,” Tony award-winning Sutton Foster, as well as legendary comedienne Andrea Martin.

According to a website news release, “Is He Dead?” was written by “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn” author Mark Twain in 1898 but was unpublished until it was rediscovered in 2002. The new Broadway comedy centers on a group of poor artists who stage the death of their mentor in order to drive up the price of his paintings. Throughout the play, the artists resort to ridiculous tactics such as planning a fake funeral, cross-dressing, deceptive relationships and more. Tony award-winner Norbert Leo Butz plays the lead role in the comedy.

Optional Broadway shows include Aaron Sorkin’s “The Farnsworth Invention,” a new drama about the coming-of-age of the television at the beginning of the 20th century. Sorkin wrote the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning TV series, “West Wing.” “Fuerzabruta,” a colorful art performance produced on a see-through stage above the heads of its audience, also is available for an optional show.

“I am really excited about seeing ‘Fuerzabruta,’” said Knapp. “It is a performance art show that should ignite all the senses.”

For six days and five nights, students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of USAO will join community members to explore the sensory scenes of New York City. As always, the public is invited to join the USAO crew.

Tour costs begin at $1,199 each for USAO students, four to a room. Non-student rates start at $1,299 each for rooms of four. Rooming for three is $1,574 each, two to a room is $1,674 each and single rates are $1,999. Prices are based on current airport fees and fuel surcharges; any significant increases will need to be added.

A $300 deposit is due by Feb. 11, with the remaining balance due by March 24. All deposits become non-refundable after Feb. 18. Trip cancellation insurance is available. A $100 down payment will reserve a spot on the tour until Feb. 11.

Under the direction of Roger Drummond, professor emeritus of drama, and Knapp, tourists will attend the two major Broadway plays and an introductory seminar about New York. The seminar includes tips about what additional shows to see, how to get half-price tickets to plays and art events and advice regarding subways, tipping and sightseeing, as well as a guidebook with additional trip specific information.

Included in the price is round-trip airfare from Oklahoma City to New York City, transportation between the airport and the hotel, tickets to “Young Frankenstein” and “Is He Dead?” and accommodations for five nights at the Edison Hotel in the heart of the Theatre District at 47th and Broadway.

Though many tour members fly out from Oklahoma City, Drummond said it’s not uncommon for out-of-towners to fly from other cities and states and meet the group in New York.

“We have had numerous alumni and friends who live in Texas, California, Florida and other states arrange their own airfare and join us in New York,” he said.

In those cases, Drummond said the cost of airfare from Oklahoma City to New York is subtracted from the total price of the trip. Out-of-town travelers will be responsible for arranging their own flights. If arrival and departure times coincide with the main group, they can join the group and ride the chartered bus from the airport to the hotel and return.

In addition to the basic tour, there will be an optional theatre add-on package and an art/museum package available. Meals are not included in the price.

“Our hotel is centrally located on the island of Manhattan in the heart of the theater district, 50 steps from Times Square,” Knapp said. “We are within walking distance to most theaters, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Macy’s, Central Park, numerous restaurants and much more.”

The optional theatre package offers the addition of  “The Farnsworth Invention,” “Fuerzabruta” and one other play yet to be selected. Tour members may select one, two or all three of the optional extra plays.

An optional art package consists of visits to the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a gallery tour led by Knapp. Costs for the art and theatre add-on packages will be based on the number and types of plays and/or museums selected.

The trip features plenty of free time for individual shopping, sightseeing and other adventures. Even though much of the trip includes unescorted free time, both Drummond and Knapp said they are always available to any first-time visitors to New York.

“We will always be ready to help you with suggestions and directions until you are comfortable on your own,” Drummond said.

USAO Independent Study credit is available for students but is not required.

More information is available from Roger Drummond by phone at (405) 361-2554 or by email at facdrummondr@usao.edu
Jacquelyn Knapp also is available by phone at (405) 574-1303 or by email at facknappj@usao.edu  

PHOTO CUTLINE

USAO invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community members to join a team of travelers headed to New York May 20-25. More information is available from tour leader Roger Drummond at (405) 361-2554. From left are 2007 New York tour members Candy Nicholson, Jamie Knapp, Katt Krause, USAO graphic designer Marcie Price and Dovie Hines, a 2006 graduate.

NEWS RELEASE January 25, 2008
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA - CHICKASHA
CONTACT MICHAEL BENDURE, News Bureau, 405-574-1362, mbendure@usao.edu
RANDY TALLEY: Public Relations, 405-574-1337, rtalley@usao.edu
FAX: 405-574-1377