KU Theatre to present 'Lulu,' a multimedia production, in December

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Film and the University Theatre will stage "Lulu," an 1895 sex tragedy, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 through 5; 5 and 9 p.m. Dec. 6; and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7. All performances will be in the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Frank Wedekind's "Lulu" has been adapted by Nicholas Wright from a literal translation by Wes Williams.

Patricia Ybarra, assistant professor of theatre and film, is directing the production. Scenic, costume and makeup design is by Aaron Dyszelski, Milwaukee, Wis., graduate student, and the lighting design is by Jennifer Luck, Birmingham, Ala., graduate student. Ybarra and her cast have created the sound design and choreography. Matt Jacobson, assistant professor of theatre and film, directed the film sequences used in the drama.

"Lulu" tells the story of a young woman who goes from love to love, taking herself out of the streets and making herself into a high-society wife before going back into the streets again. Following her (and others') trails of desire, the heroine journeys from Berlin to Paris to Jack the Ripper's London to meet her fate.

The KU production features an ensemble cast, a rock music score and film sequences inspired by American novelist Kathy Acker's imagistic, edgy prose.

"Together, these elements create a multimedia performance where the audience can witness Lulu's walk across the tightrope between the twin poles of pleasure and danger," Ybarra said.

"Lulu" is not for the fainthearted, Ybarra said. Recommended for audiences age 16 and older, the play contains very strong adult subject matter, strong language, gunshots and smoking.

A talkback with the director, the cast and a panel of KU faculty will take place immediately after the Dec. 4 performance.

"Lulu" is an associate entry in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival XXXVI.

General admission tickets for the KU production are on sale at University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; SUA, (785) 864-7469; and online at http://www.kutheatre.com. Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for all students, $11 for senior citizens and $10 for KU faculty and staff.

Members of the ensemble for the KU production include (listed by name, year in school, parents' names, high school alma mater and role(s)):

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Ashley K. Lafond, senior, daughter of Mark and Alea Lafond; Lawrence Free State High School graduate; Ludmilla.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City
Phillip Vocasek, senior, son of Leona M. Vocasek and Fred Vocasek; Dodge City High School graduate; Dr. Schoning, Casti Piani and Jack the Ripper.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park
Megan Carter, junior, daughter of Craig and Roni Carter; Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate; Kadeja.
Rita DeLoach, senior, daughter of Ralph and Loretta DeLoach; Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate; Countess Geschwitz.
Samara Naeymi, junior, daughter of Brad and Dorothy Naeymi; Blue Valley Northwest High School graduate; Lulu.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
From Wamego
Brandon DeLany, junior, son of Dianne DeLany; Wamego High School graduate; Alwa Schoning.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan
Blake Bolan, junior, daughter of Jeb Bolan and Wendy Adams; Manhattan High School graduate; Madeleine.
Theresa Buchheister, senior, daughter of Carol and James Buchheister; Manhattan High School; Dr. Goll, Schigolch and Police Officer.

MISSOURI
From Kansas City
Patrick Craft, senior, son of Mary Craft; Winnetonka High School graduate; Edvard Schwarz, Rodrigo and Hopkins.