September 18, 2001

Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

KU Theatre opens season with Guare's 'Six Degrees of Separation'

LAWRENCE---John Guare's tragi-comedy, "Six Degrees of Separation," will be staged at the University of Kansas in early October as the opening production in The University Theatre's "Main Stage" series.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Doug Weaver, adjunct professor of theatre and film at KU, is directing the 17-member ensemble for the contemporary play, which was first produced in 1990 at Lincoln Center in New York City, staring Stockard Channing. Guare also adapted the play into a 1993 film starring Will Smith.

Joining Weaver on the production team are designers Delbert Unruh, professor of theatre and film, scenery; Brian Clinnin, Arlington Heights, IL, graduate student, costumes; and Mark Reaney, professor of theatre and film, lighting.

Guare, a native New Yorker known for his comic, satirical plays, came up with the idea for his script from the concept of how big worlds can be turned into small worlds and how everyone on earth is linked by only six other people...the six degrees of separation. Based on the real-life story of David Hampton, who in 1983 called himself David Poitier and hoaxed the lives of many prominent New Yorkers, later landing himself in prison, Guare's fictionalized account asks fascinating questions about contemporary American life.

In the play, a charming young man, Paul, convinces a sophisticated New York couple, Ouisa and Flan, that he is a friend of their college age children and has been mugged. He also says he is the son of actor Sidney Poitier, which impresses them, and they invite him to spend the night in their home until his father arrives the following morning. When they find Paul in bed with another man, they throw him out, only to find out he has pulled the same scam on their friends.

The play consists of a series of flashbacks as Ouisa and Flan tell their story, speaking directly to the audience, detailing their experiences. The story is told only from their perception of Paul, their version of him; Paul is never presented directly, but only through their memories.

Guare said he knew the play had to "go like the wind"--fast, with no pauses, no scene changes, and no wasted time getting from place to place. The costumes mark time and event changes, and also tell about the status and function of the characters. Only "remembered" details are important.

The play touches on tensions that discolored life in New York in the early 1990's: racial friction, homophobia, homelessness, as well as having one's privacy invaded, and the conflicts between parent and child.

Talkback sessions will be held immediately following each performance of the play. Director Weaver and his cast will be available to discuss the underlying issues in the play with interested audience members.

Reserved seat tickets for "Six Degrees of Separation" are on sale through the KU box offices: Murphy Hall, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; SUA Office, 864-7469; and on-line at www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are $14 and $12 for the public, $10 for all students, and $13 and $11 for senior citizens. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone and on-line orders. Members of the cast for the KU production include (listed by name, class, parents' names, home address, and role):

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Evan C. Grosshans, sophomore, son of Kip and Kay Grosshans, 3233 Yellowstone Drive, Ben.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays
Bryce R. Ostrom, junior, son of Timothy Klaus and Deborah Ostrom, 2011 Walnut, the Hustler.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City
Phillip Vocasek, senior, son of Leona Vocasek, 2314 Diane Drive, Trent Conway.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood
Alexander Holt, senior, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fenn Renison, 11626 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Doug.
John Luzar, senior, son of Ron Luzar, 5152 W. 115th Terrace, Geoffrey.
David Martin, senior, son of Robert and Kaye Martin, 4908 W. 114th, Larkin.

From Overland Park
Joseph Edwin Boothe, senior, son of Edwin and Loretta Boothe, 10112 Maple Drive, Flan.
Rita DeLoach, senior, daughter of Ralph and Loretta DeLoach, 11200 Grandview, Elizabeth.
Matthew G. Simon, junior, son of Mark and Ellen Simon, 6808 W. 101st Terrace, Woody.

From Roeland Park
Keith Redmond, sophomore, son of Dan and Helen Redmond, 4920 Skyline Drive, Dr. Fine.
Xavier Rice, senior, son of Ann and John Rice, 4934 Briar, Paul.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan
Theresa Buchheister, sophomore, daughter of James and Carol Buchheister, 1215 Houston, Tess.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Kelly Mengelkoch, senior, daughter of Richard and Sheryl Mengelkoch, 7515 E. Plaza Lane, Kitty.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Allison Gabbard, junior, daughter of Dr. Glen Gabbard and Rebecca O'Malley, 700 Crest Drive, Ouisa.

(End Kansas)

MICHIGAN
From Clio
Matt Hislope, senior, son of Mr. and Mrs. William D. Hislope, 3319 Merlyn Court, Detective, Policeman, and Doorman.

MISSOURI
From Ballwin
Adrienne Lamping, junior, daughter of Elizabeth Beck and Dan Lamping, 640 Woodfern Drive, Detective, Policeman, and Doorman.

NEBRASKA
From Omaha
Patrick Pugh, senior, son of Timothy and Janet Pugh, 1721 S. 113th, Rick.