FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2004

UNL's University Theatre Opens 104th Season with
Greek Classic MEDEA

(Lincoln, Nebraska) -- UNL Theatre's University Theatre opens its 104th season of productions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the classic Greek tragedy MEDEA by Robinson Jeffers, freely adapted from Euripides. The production, directed by Associate Professor Virginia Smith, will have performances October 7, 8, 9 and 13, 14, 15 at 7:30 PM and October 17 at 2:00 PM in Howell Theatre, first floor of the Temple Building at 12th and R Streets. There is a sneak preview/final dress rehearsal performance at 7:30 PM on October 6. Tickets to the preview are $5.00 at the door.

Taking one of the world's greatest dramas, Jeffers paints an unforgettable psychological portrait of a woman scorned. The story, over two thousand years old, seems ripped from today's headlines as anger, betrayal, and alienation befall Medea. Abandoned by her husband, Jason, Medea's ultimate revenge leads to the slaughter of beauty and innocence.

Director Smith said, "MEDEA: so gifted, so beautiful, so high born, so much love, so much passion, so much sacrificed for Jason. And then, betrayal. Now: so wronged, so enraged, such howling, such a necessity to hurt. Leading her on a horrific journey to revenge and ultimate loss.

We have chosen to tell this story that stirs the thunder and passion of the gods in masks that represent the characters as archetypes. Costume designer, Cate Wieck, has designed sculpted masks that use rhythms of the elements of air, water, wind and fire. These masks are living sculpture, designed to change as the light hits them from different angles, and actors wearing them must use their body as text.

I would like this to be a tense visual experience that explores the monumental passions of this play as it examines our seemingly endless compulsion as human beings to seek revenge."

The undergraduate cast includes Cecilia Stinner as Medea, Brittany Leffler as her Nurse, Brett Waldon as Jason, Jeff Nathan as Creon, Jack Carpenter as the children's Tutor, John Paul Wilson as Aegeus, Steve Lenz as the Slave, Caitlin Brandes, Brianne Bassler, and Jesse Glasgow as the classic Chorus. Medea's children are played by elementary students Dustin Hauptman and Andrew DeCamp.

Individual tickets are $14.00, $12.00 faculty/staff and senior citizen, and $10.00 student/youth. Groups of 20 or more persons may purchase tickets at 50% of the regular price. Tickets may be purchased from the Lied Center Ticket Office at 301 North 12th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour prior to performances in the designated theatre lobby. Phone orders may be made at 402-472-4747 or 800-432-3231.