News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) will present its annual dinner theater, Box and Cox, on Sunday, Feb. 8.

FOTAD’s major fundraiser for the year, presenting the Victorian farce written by John Maddison Morton in 1846, will take place in the SIUE Morris University Center’s Fixins’ Restaurant. Doors open at 6 p.m., and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The cast and the director are SIUE Theater and Dance alumni, returning for one night: David Whitacre (’09) plays Mr. Box, Chris Kernan (’14) plays Mr. Cox, Jay Harvey (’09) plays Mrs. Bouncer, with Josh Douglas (’09) directing and Acacia Douglas (’09) stage managing.

Menu choices are either rosemary roasted flank steak or light Southwest tomato pasta. Costs are $40 for FOTAD members and guests and $45 for non-FOTAD members. There will be a cash bar.

Reservations must be made by Monday, Feb. 2. Please call the SIUE Fine Arts Box Office at 650-2774 or toll free at (888) 328-5168, ext. 2774.

Box and Cox takes place in London in the 1840’s at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Not only has London become overcrowded with men looking for work, but there also is a major housing shortage. The plot of this Victorian farce hinges on the fact that Mrs. Bouncer, a landlord, has rented the same room to two men. Since Mr. Box is a printer and works nights and Mr. Cox is a hatter working days, Mrs. Bouncer is able to carry out her deception. Unfortunately, one day Mr. Box is given a holiday from work and returns home to find Mr. Cox sharing his room.

FOTAD is a support organization for SIUE’s Department of Theater and Dance. FOTAD raises money to provide students with scholarships, merit awards, student travel opportunities and guest artist appearances.

Photo: David Whitacre, Josh Douglas and Chris Kernan star in Box and Cox.