Northwestern University Presents WAA-MU: WHAT’S NEXT? 4/29-5/7

Celebrating its 80th Anniversary, Northwestern University's Waa-Mu show enters a new chapter with award-winning faculty member David Bell directing "the greatest college show in America" for the first time with WAA-MU: WHAT'S NEXT?

What's Next? will follow a group of Northwestern students through their four years of college as they face "what's next" moments and decisions that will help shape and focus the rest of their lives. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, April 29; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1; 8 p.m. Thursday, May 5; 8 p.m. Friday, May 6; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., on the University's Evanston campus.

With a cast of over 40 Northwestern students, the annual show is written, composed, performed, choreographed and presented by undergraduates. Waa-Mu is known for its lavish sets, elaborate Broadway-style chorus numbers and budding talent. What's Next? will take the audience right back to college when life-changing moments are made. Finding a job, finding someone to love, or just simply becoming an adult. Exploring personal futures and how we become the person we are, using the metaphor of a college student's four years at Northwestern, What's Next? is poignant, funny and honest.

Highlights from this year show include songs and scenes about joining a fraternity, getting asked out on your first date, leaving home for the first time, and studying abroad.

On taking over the legacy of the Waa-Mu show, Bell says "There is such a cherished heritage to the Waa-Mu show and it is my intention to honor that legacy while inspiring students to create something genuine about their own life experience."

Waa-Mu History

Waa-Mu's quirky name stands for the two campus organizations that banded together to present the first show in 1929 -- the Women's Athletic Association (W.A.A.) and the Men's Union (M.U.).

Since then, Waa-Mu has become a launching pad for young theatrical talent. Famous Waa-Mu alumni include actor, director, producer and screen writer Warren Beatty; comedian Paul Lynde; writer and Broadway critic Walter Kerr; movie, television and theater actor Gregg Edelman; actress Cloris Leachman; Broadway actor Brian d'Arcy James; actress, singer, dancer and Miss America 1998 Kate Shindle; singer and Broadway actress Heather Headley; and countless others.

Single tickets for Waa-Mu are $28 (tier one) to $21 (tier two) for the general public; $17 for seniors and Northwestern University faculty and staff and area educators and administrators; and $11 for full-time students and children. Tickets may be purchased through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or online at www.waamu.northwestern.edu