Theatre Lab at FAU Showcases Dynamic New Work in American Theater

Theatre Lab, the professional resident company of Florida Atlantic University, continues to bring dynamic new work in American theatre to South Florida with the provocative Vaudeville musical "Ionescopade," on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. in Parliament Hall, 777 Glades Road,

Boca Raton campus. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.fauevents.com or by calling 800-564-9539. Student tickets are $10.

"Ionescopade," conceived by Robert Allan Ackerman, is based on the works of Eugene Ionesco. With music and lyrics by Boca Raton resident Mildred Kayden, this zany trip through the mind of the brilliant absurdist playwright of "The Bald Soprano" and "Rhinoceros"features mime, farce and parody, all hilariously balanced on the edge of madness.

This fun absurdist musical is the beginning of a packed season for Theatre Lab, with play readings, musicals and playwright forums happening weekly. Some highlights include an evening with Tony Award-winning American master playwright John Guare (House of Blue Leaves, Six Degrees of Separation) on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. Following readings from several of his plays that illuminate his extraordinary talent and range, Mr. Guare will share his thoughts on his life and adventures in American theater.

Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!," was an award-winning playwright before becoming a public radio celebrity.  A reading of his play "Mall America" on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 p.m., will be followed by a post-performance discussion of his play and his adventures as host of NPR's most popular and thought-provoking radio game show.

Theatre Lab was established on FAU's campus in September, 2015. Louis Tyrrell, founding artistic director of Florida Stage and the Theatre at Arts Garage, is the artistic director and Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in the Arts for this new initiative. While the campus location for a permanent black-box venue is identified and constructed, Theatre Lab operates on the ground floor of Parliament Hall, a student residence on FAU's Boca Raton campus. Patrons are encouraged to come early to enjoy beer, wine, drinks and snacks available for purchase, and explore the gallery exhibition space that houses the lobby for Theatre Lab.