Six DFW colleges and universities begin theater productions this week

Collin, Tarrant, Brookhaven, Richland, SMU and TCU presenting everything from Shakespeare to a regional premiere.

With it being the middle of the semester, colleges and universities around town are opening shows, but they run for a very limited time. However, they are free/cheap and are sure to have something for everyone, from Shakesepare to a classic vampire to a regional premiere about the Iraqi War. Make sure to check out a couple of shows from Brookhaven, Collin College, Richland, Tarrant County College, SMU and TCU:

Butterflies Are Free

An Ideal Husband, presented by SMU Division of Theatre, from October 15-19. Premiered in 1895, Wilde’s highly successful comedy revolves around a prominent politician whose youthful mistake is threatened with exposure by a blackmailing aristocratic woman. Social expectations and a rigid Victorian sense of duty and honor contrast with the reality of human imperfection and foibles in a play renowned for its wit and insight. Call 214-768-2787 for tickets ($7-13).
Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine, presented by Theatre Brookhaven, from October 16-26. Beanie created a machine that read books for him and would give him the answers to his teachers’ questions. However, something goes wrong. With characters drawn from “Hansel and Gretel,” “Snow White” and “The Wizard of Oz”, the production brings to life some of children’s favorite stories in a completely new way. Tickets ($6-8) are available by calling 972-860-4118.
Butterflies are Free, presented by Theatre TCU, from October 17-19. Loosely based on the life of attorney Harold Krents, the plot revolves around a Manhattan blind man whose controlling mother disapproves of his relationship with a free-spirited hippie. In the Studio Theatre. Call 817-257-5770 for tickets ($5-10).
Dracula, presented by TCC Southeast Drama, from October 16-18. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. For reservations (free-$6), call 817-515-3599.
One Shot, One Kill, presented by Collin Theatre Center, from October 14-19. Regional Premiere of a new play about The War in Iraq. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Sergeant Nick Harris has just returned from a dangerous mission during the early days of the Iraq War. During his de-briefing with Major Mark Royce, Sgt. Harris requests to be dismissed from the Corps. What happened on that mission? And who is really to blame? One Shot, One Kill is a searing and uncompromised look at the machinations of war. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Richard Vetere. Note: Mr. Vetere will visit Collin College to participate in this production. Purchase tickets ($6-8) online or by calling 972-881-5809.
Taming of the Shrew, presented by Richland College, from Octgober 15-18. Petruchio, marries an outspoken, intelligent, and bad-tempered shrew named Katherina. Petruchio manipulates and "tames" her until she is obedient to his will. Admission is free but reservations are required by calling 972-238-3733.