CMU’s Asteria Theatre Debuts with Amadeus on September 27
Colorado Mesa University is rolling out the red carpet for the premiere of Amadeus, marking a significant milestone as the Department of Theatre Arts’ first production in the new state-of-the-art theatre.
The inaugural production — directed by Theatre Arts Department Head and Associate Professor of Theatre Mo LaMee — tells the dramatized story of Austrian court composer Antonio Salieri, who is shocked to find that the musical talent he longs for has been given to young prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Overcome with jealousy, Salieri wages a personal battle with Mozart, with music and even with God.
The themes of Amadeus present both artistic and technical opportunities to show off the Asteria Theatre’s new capabilities. The space is equipped with cutting-edge sound and lighting systems and offers significantly more seating, with rows extending much farther and higher than those in CMU’s Robinson Theatre. These new features have led performers to adapt their approach to acting in the new space.
“The Asteria feels ten times bigger than the Robinson Theatre, but what’s interesting is that you need half the vocal energy to fill the room. The acoustics are amazing,” Amadeus star and Assistant Professor of Theatre Benjamin Reigel explained. “The human voice carries beautifully in this space. The balconies are angled to reflect sound in a way that enhances the acoustics, and the volume of space allows for a rich, full sound,” Director Mo LaMee added.
In addition to the enhanced acoustics and seating, Asteria’s large stage is a game-changer when it comes to opening up new creative possibilities for CMU’s productions.
“The stage is huge. That’s something for us to get used to. You can put a lot of bodies on the stage and there's still room to move around. From a staging standpoint, the composition of the actors is fun to play with,” said LaMee.
One of the production’s standout features is the live music that will accompany the performance. While most productions of Amadeus rely on pre-recorded tracks for all of Mozart’s piano scenes, CMU’s version will include live piano by concert pianist Max Reilly, Mozart’s actor and CMU’s collaborative pianist. This authenticity combined with the technical upgrades of the new theatre are sure to promise audiences an immersive and memorable experience while watching the play.
“Amadeus is a bit of a two-for-one show. It’s a powerful play about our relationship to creativity, failure and success. It’s also a chance to sit in the new theatre with an amazing new sound system and listen to gorgeously orchestrated versions of Mozart’s music with a virtuoso musician on stage playing it live,” said Reigel.
For those familiar with Amadeus through the Oscar-winning film or previous stage productions, CMU’s version offers a fresh experience, particularly in its climactic moments. Amadeus playwright Peter Shaffer wrote six versions of the play due to his fascination with its themes. CMU is staging the sixth version, and it’s one that many audiences likely have never seen. This version is an experience that promises to surprise and engage both newcomers and longtime fans of the story.
With Amadeus, CMU is setting a new standard for the performing arts on campus. Featuring breathtaking performances, live music and the cutting-edge amenities of the Asteria Theatre, the show marks a defining moment for both the CMU community and local theatre enthusiasts. This production offers an immersive experience that blends gripping drama with Mozart’s timeless music, best experienced live and in person.
The red-carpet premiere of Amadeus is on September 27 at the Asteria Theatre, with performances running through October 5. Tickets are available at cmustages.com.