Rice Theatre to present ‘Mauritius’ April 5-13

Rice University Theatre will present “Mauritius,” written by Theresa Rebeck, creator of the Golden Globe-nominated TV show “Smash,” at the university’s Hamman Hall. Performances are 8 p.m. April 5-6 and April 11-13. A 3 p.m. matinee is scheduled for April 7.

From left, Rice students and “Mauritius” cast members Adrien Pellerin, Rachel Landsman and Ben Seidensticker rehearse for opening night.

Stamp collecting is far more risky than one would think, according to the play’s plot. After their mother’s death, two estranged half-sisters discover a book of rare stamps that might include the crown jewel for collectors. One sister tries to collect on the windfall while the other resists for sentimental reasons. “In this gripping tale, a seemingly simple sale becomes dangerous when three seedy, high-stakes collectors enter the sisters’ world, willing to do anything to claim the rare find as their own,” said Christina Keefe, director of Rice’s Theatre Program.

Julia Traber will be the guest director of “Mauritius.” Traber’s most recent directing credits include “The Lion in Winter” for the Texas Repertory Theatre Company and “Miss Julie” for the Classical Theatre Company. The Houston Chronicle described her direction of “Miss Julie” as “detailed, succinct and stunning,” and the Houston Press praised her for the characterizations she obtained from her cast. She has worked with various theatres and institutions, including Alley Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, the Texas Repertory Theatre Co. and the University of Houston. Currently, she is the assistant artistic director at the Classical Theatre Company.

Matt Schlief is the production manager and lecturer of theater at Rice University. His most recent work was as set designer for Rice’s fall production of “Tartuffe.” Schlief will work with lighting designer Dustin Tannahill to design the sets for “Mauritius.” Tannahill, a former student of Rice’s Visual and Dramatic Arts Department, has designed lights for the university for “Drunken City” and “Tartuffe,” as well as Classical Theatre Company’s production of “Miss Julie.”

Tickets are $5 for students; $8 for Rice alumni, faculty, staff and senior citizens; $10 for general admission; and $5 per person for groups of 10 and more. Tickets are available in advance by calling 713-348-PLAY.

For more information on the performances, visit http://arts.rice.edu.