Educating Rita
Educating Rita
Rita is a working-class hairdresser who wants to learn. Frank is a failed poet and professor who wants to drink.
Buy Now
October 5 - November 11, 2018
Black Box
Tickets: Starting at $45 (Previews $25)
By Willy Russell
Directed by Lynne Collins

Underwritten by Karen and Jack Berryhill
When they are thrown together, they embark on a journey that neither expected. The story is loosely based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion , which became the heart of My Fair Lady and the film Pretty Woman . This funny and touching play reveals the unlikely connections that can surprise and change us.
Genre: Drama
Content: Young Adult – Adult Audiences
Performance Dates
Previews: October 3 and 4, 2018
Performances: October 5 – November 11, 2018 Wed at 1:00 pm, Thurs – Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2:00 pm.
Opening night: Friday, October 5, 2018
Photos
Photos courtesy McLeod9 Creative
Cast

Emily Van Fleet
Emily Van Fleet (Rita) has performed in 9 Arvada Center productions, including Sunday in the Park with George , The Drowning Girls , Bus Stop , Tartuffe , and Death Takes a Holiday . She will return to the Black Box stage when the Repertory Company opens its third season in February 2019.

John Hutton
John Hutton (Frank) is a very familiar actor to Colorado audiences, having spent 23 years with the Denver Center Theatre Company. He last appeared on a Colorado stage for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s 2016 productions of Equivocation and Cymbeline . His film credits include Lincoln , The Dwarves of Demrel , Bit Player and Distance .
Come Prepared
In order to help you enjoy Educating Rita , we’ve created a companion guide to the play and our production. You’ll learn more about the script, the playwright, the director and much more. Read the full Educating Rita companion guide.
Bring a book, take a book
In the spirit of Educating Rita , we hope you'll help spread the love of literature with our Book Share! When you come see the play, drop off a gently-loved book on our bookshelf, and take home something new for yourself. Thanks to our partners at BookBar for stocking our tiny library!
Talk Backs
Following every performance, members of the cast and creative team will be available for informal discussions about the performance.
Performance Run Times
Performances of Educating Rita last about 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission.
Theatre Salons
Have a passion for theatre? Then join the Arvada Center Theatre Salon where you’ll spend 4 weeks exploring the script and its themes, the sets and costumes, the playwright and the history behind it all. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the production and meet the people who make it happen!
Theatre Salon dates:
- Classes: Thursday evenings 7-9 pm, Oct. 11 - Nov. 1
- Performance: Oct. 25
Habitat for Humanity performance
Proceeds from the 2 p.m. performance of Educating Rita on October 20 will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.
Buy tickets benefiting Habitat for Humanity