Colonial Theatre Presents Elephant's Graveyard

Join us when Robert Morris University brings the circus to town with Elephant’s Graveyard, a play by George Brant, directed by Barbara Burgess-Lefebvre. Performances are November 9, 10, 11, 12, at 7:30 PM and 13 at 2:00 PM at the Colonial Theatre in Massey Hall. Tickets are available for purchase for $10 at the door, and RMU student (presale only) for $5 in the office of student life. For reservations or information contact 412-397-5454

The show is set in September 1916 where a small circus with a big elephant, a railroad, and a small town with big anticipation for the circus collide. The ensuing clash of the conservative muddy town and the bright, colorful circus results in journey of intrigue, violence, and revenge. Elephant’s Graveyard is based on a true story of a traveling circus that stumbled into a gory disaster; and combines historical fact and legend, exploring the deep-seated American craving for spectacle, violence and revenge. The Austin Chronicle reviewed the play as one that “cracks our hearts without ever showing a drop of blood.”

The RMU production features a cast of sixteen which includes Colonial theatre favorites and some exciting new faces. It features on-stage live music, created by the cast musicians which supports the action and emotion of the piece. Some original music was composed by RMU English Professor John Lawson.

The play has won multiple awards, including the 2008 Keene Prize for Literature, and the 2008 David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award.