KU THEATRE TO STAGE ANNUAL POT-POURRI PRODUCTIONS

Three plays are included in the 1998 Pot-Pourri:

"Eleemosynary" by Lee Blessing, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and 2; "The Miss Firecracker Contest" by Beth Henley, Dec. 3-5; and "Kiss of the Spider Woman," taken from the screenplay by Leonard Schrader and based on the novel by Manuel Puig, Dec. 6-8.

"Eleemosynary" is directed by Vincent Andrew Worthington, third-year graduate student from East Lansing, Mich. The drama, with a cast of three women, examines the subtle and often perilous relationship between a young girl, her mother and her grandmother.

"The Miss Firecracker Contest" by Beth Henley is directed by Janna Lynn Ziegler, second-year graduate student from Kansas City, Mo., and has a cast of six. The explosively funny play finds the rich lodes of humor in the zany antics of small town American life, Ziegler said.

A long running, off-Broadway hit, "The Miss Firecracker Contest" is set in Brookhaven, Miss., a few days before the annual Fourth of July festival. Carnelle Scott, who is in her last year of eligibility for the Miss Firecracker crown, is determined to win the contest and leave her small town life behind her.

Maggie Baldomir, second-year graduate student from Buenos Aires, Argentina, directs the cast of six in "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Set in a Latin American jail cell, this story of intrigue, conscience and betrayal looks at two men: a political prisoner and a homosexual window dresser. Starting with nothing in common, the two manage to form a bond to help each other survive the abuse and terror of prison.

Originally written as a novel in 1976 and adapted to dramatic form in 1980 by the Argentinean author Puig, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" was adapted for the screen and filmed in Brazil in 1984. A Broadway production in the early 1990s won numerous Tony Awards.

General admission tickets for the three KU plays are on sale in the KU box offices: Lied Center, 864-ARTS; Murphy Hall, 864-3982, SUA Office 864-3477. Seating is limited. Tickets are $8 for the public, $4 for all students and $7 for senior citizens. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.

KU students performing in the Pot-Pourri Productions include:

DOUGLAS COUNTY

From Lawrence

Lisa Donnelly, sophomore, daughter of Jerry and Ileene Donnelly, 3148 Campfire Drive, Echo, "Eleemosynary."

ELLIS COUNTY

From Hays

Shawna Smith, freshman, daughter of David and Rae Smith, 1008 W. 37th, Marta/Mother, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

HODGEMAN COUNTY

From Jetmore

Heather Jewell, senior, daughter of Alicia Hingle, Box 666, Tessy Mahoney, "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

JOHNSON COUNTY

From Leawood

Ryan Matthew Colwell, freshman, son of James and Doreen Colwell, 2808 W. 131st, Delmount Williams, "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

From Lenexa

Chad Shields, freshman, son of Tami Shields, 9601 Monrovia, Agent, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

From Olathe

Daemon K. Hatfield, junior, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hatfield, 834 E. 125th Terrace, Mac Sam, "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

Johanna Wagenknecht, junior, daughter of Don and Barbara Wagenknecht, 13644 S. Sycamore, Elain Rutledge, "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

From Overland Park

Tim Wiler, senior, son of Arlene Wiler, 6901 Hadley, Valentin, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

From Shawnee

Darren Lynn Bousman, sophomore, son of Lynn and Nancy Bousman, 11413 W. 49th Terrace, Guard, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

From Leavenworth

Lloyd Bolick, senior, son of Mr. and Mrs. Miles Bolick Jr., 517 Pleasant Ave., Luis Molina, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

RICE COUNTY

From Sterling

Kristen Bush, sophomore, daughter of Scott and Lynne Bush, 449 N. Broadway, Dorothea, "Eleemosynary."

THOMAS COUNTY

From Colby

Erin G. Jones, junior, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil E. Jones, 1155 Wheatridge Road, Artie, "Eleemosynary."

CALIFORNIA

From Redondo Beach

J. Damian Houston, senior, son of Joe Houston and Melanie Cox, 158 Pasco Delas Delicious, Warden, "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

ILLINOIS

From Glenview

Melissa Shimkovitz, junior, daughter of Howard and Gloria Shimkovitz, 629 Long Road, Popeye, "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

MISSOURI

From Lee's Summit

Phannie Davis, senior, daughter of Dr. John and Paula Davis, 609 NE Persimmon Circle, Carnelle Scott, "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

Story by Charla Jenkins (785) 864-2684