The Department of Theatre Arts at Cal State San Bernardino is breaking ground on a new season of plays … AND a new Performing Arts Center! So grab your hard hat (not really), pick your favorite seat in the Barnes E. Theatre and join us as we kick up some dust with our 2022-23 season, “We’re Back and in Your Face!”

We begin our season on Nov. 11 with Arthur Miller’s timeless family drama of immigration, racism and forbidden love in “A View From the Bridge,” directed by Terry Donovan Smith, professor and department chair. Lawyer Alfieri recalls the tragedy of the Carbone family. Dockworker Eddie and his wife Beatrice have taken their orphaned niece Catherine into their care, but as the young Catherine nears her 18th birthday, and the undocumented Rodolpho catches her eye, Uncle Eddie’s overprotective, fatherly gaze turns into something far less innocent.

Tensions build to an avoidable yet inevitably cataclysmic conclusion when “A View From the Bridge” storms the Barnes stage Nov. 11.

On March 10, “fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life,” written by Sarah Gubbins and directed by Kristi Papailler, opens. Written in 2012, “fml” is a powerful contemporary piece about the transformative nature of literature in the world. High school junior and artist, Jo, finds a kindred spirit in author Carson McCullers after reading his famed novel, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.” Newly inspired and encouraged by her best friend, Jo begins to channel her art into a graphic novel about surviving high school until she becomes the target of gay bashing. After the incident, Jo channels her gift into becoming a voice of advocacy for those persecuted just for being different.

“fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life” takes the stage March 10-19.

Turtles and serpents and spiders, oh my! We conclude our season on April 28 with the family friendly “Anansi’s Carnival Adventures” by Alberto Justiniano, music composed by Gary Rue. When the forest surrounding the small Caribbean town of San Pedro is sold off to developers, it’s up to Felipe, his friends, the Afro-Latina spider Anansi and her animal friends to seek out Hurracan the god of wind, to drive the developers out and save their forest home!

This enchanting, environmentally conscious musical is directed by Kathryn Ervin and runs April 28-May 7.

Tickets can be purchased from the CSUSB Theatre Arts Box Office or online at theatre.csusb.edu. Ticket prices are $6 for students and individuals under 17; $12 for faculty, staff, senior citizens and military/first responders; and $15 for adults 18-64.

All performances take place in the Ronald E. Barnes Theatre on the CSUSB campus. Parking at CSUSB is $6 Monday-Friday and $3 on the weekend.

All production dates and times are subject to change to coincide with any health and safety guidelines established by the CDC. Follow the theatre’s Facebook account for the most up-to-date information.

For additional information, please contact the Theatre Box Office at (909) 537-5884 or theatrearts@csusb.edu.

CSUSB Theatre Arts 2022-23 brochure cover