UKIAH, Calif. – The Mendocino College Theatre Department is excited to announce its first ever showing of a production written by the award winning American playwright Tina Howe.

Museum will run for two weekends only, Oct. 19 to 28 in Mendocino College’s Center Theatre at the Ukiah Campus.

Tina Howe’s delightful comedy takes place in a major American museum of art. Over the course of the play, 40 people walk through the closing day of a modern exhibit. These characters include art lovers, skeptics, tourists, students, lost souls, fellow artists, and a very frustrated museum guard.

The play is about the movement and yearning of the people it involves. According to director Reid Edelman, one of the many delights of this farcical play is seeing the talented cast of 22 students and local actors embody the huge and eclectic cast of characters.

The play examines the way people respond to art, often spinning into a wildly zany romp, though there are some serious and touching moments as well.

Edelman explained, “Howe is a playwright who loves quirky and unexpected moments; she creates worlds that are at once absurd and very authentic.”

Howe’s other plays include “The Art of Dining,” “Painting Churches,” “Coastal Disturbances,” “Approaching Zanzibar” and “Pride's Crossing.”

Howe is an Obie Award winner, and has also been nominated for a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize.

This Mendocino College production and preshow entertainment is a collaboration of the college art, theatre, and music departments and showcases the emerging talents of seven Mendocino College conservatory students as well as other college students and local community actors.

“This talented ensemble cast just bursts with creativity and energy,” said Edelman. “They have embraced Howe’s comedic landscape with gusto!”

The production’s impressive scenery, lighting, costumes, and sound design are also being created by Mendocino College students under the direction of faculty and staff members Steve Decker, Kathy Dingman-Katz, and David Wolf. The production stage manager is Gary Hudson.

Performances are Friday, Oct. 19, and Saturday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 25, Friday Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m.

Preshow entertainment and activities begin 30 minutes prior to each show. Full of unexpected surprises, the preshow experience will lead audiences into the play in a refreshing manner.

Tickets ($20 general; $15 students and seniors) are available at the Mendocino Book Co., Mendocino College Bookstore and online at www.ArtsMendocino.org.

The performance on Thursday, Oct. 25, is a special discount night, with all tickets costing only $10. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.

For information, call 707-468-3172 or visit http://www.mendocino.edu/the-arts/theatre.

The Mendocino College Ukiah campus is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.