‘Cloud 9’ opens UIC Theatre season of rebels, rogues, renegades

“Rogues, Rebels and Renegades: A Geography Of Yearning” is this season’s theme at the UIC Theatre, where professional directors lead student actors in European comedies and American parables.

Onstage this week is “Cloud 9” by Caryl Churchill. Directed by Luigi Salerni, professor of theatre, shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; today at noon; and Sunday at 2 p.m.

“Cloud 9” opens on a Victorian-era Christmas, where Clive and his family of English ex-pats in Africa host an explorer and a widow seeking refuge from a hostile tribe.

The visitors set off a rash of secret dalliances with partners varying in age, sexual orientation and social position.

In the second act, set in Thatcher-era London, the characters all reappear. They’ve aged only 25 years, and the actors have switched roles in more ways than one.

The Obie-winning comedy has been called “a testament to self-acceptance.”

Upcoming UIC Theatre productions include “Dying for It” by Moira Buffini, directed by Timothy Douglas, adjunct lecturer in theatre and former artistic director of the Remy Bumppo Theatre (Nov. 9-18); “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, directed by Derrick Sanders, assistant professor of theatre and former artistic director of Congo Square Theatre (Feb. 22-March 3); and “The Time of Your Life” by William Saroyan, directed by Yasen Peyankov, director of theatre studies and ensemble member of Steppenwolf Theatre (April 19-28).

Tickets for all shows are $11 for UIC students, $14 UIC faculty and staff and $16 general public.

For more information, call the UIC Theatre box office, 312-996-2939.