KU Theatre opens season with Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'

LAWRENCE -- The Department of Theatre and Film at the University of Kansas will open the University Theatre's 2003-04 mainstage season with a lavish production of William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.

The Shakespeare comedy is being staged by guest director D. Scott Glasser, with scenic and lighting design by Dennis Christilles, KU associate professor of theatre and film. Guest artist Brian Hemesath designed costumes, and Paul Boesing composed the songs for the production.

The romantic comedy is a tale of young lovers: Orlando, a love-struck youth who roams the forest hanging poetry and carving his beloved's name in tree trunks, and Rosalind, who, in the disguise of a man, mischievously gives Orlando tips on how to be successful at capturing the object of his affection. Orlando and Rosalind's love creates such a romantic atmosphere that practically all the young people around them fall in love and end up in marriage.

Glasser is setting the KU production in 1961 in a dukedom on the French/Italian Riviera and the forest of Arden.

"I was looking for a time and place where gender roles were being questioned anew, familiar as modern times, but with identifiable rules of behavior, style and class distinctions," he explained.

The University Theatre program is partially funded by the KU Student Senate Activity Fee and by the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Reserved-seat tickets are on sale at the University Theatre, (785) 864-3982; the Lied Center, (785) 864-ARTS; SUA, (785) 864-7469; and online at http://kutheatre.com. Tickets are $16 for the public, $10 for all students and $15 for senior citizens.

Members of the cast for "As You Like It" are listed below by name, year in school, parents' name and role:

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Summer Eglinski, junior, daughter of Ed and Pam Eglinski; Corin.
Evan C. Grosshans, senior, son of Kip and Kay Grosshans; Jaques.
Scott Johnson, senior, son of Larry and Peggy Johnson; Dennis and William.

ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays
R. Troy Hirsch, freshman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Massaglia; Adam.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City
Phillip Vocasek, senior, son of Leona Vocasek; LeBeau.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From DeSoto
Brian Heinen, son of Robert and Karen Heinen; Duke Frederick.

From Overland Park
Steve Ducey, junior, son of Thomas B. And Arleen B. Ducey; Silvius.
Sarah Elizabeth Homan, senior, daughter of Stephen and Karen Homan; Audrey.
Samara E. Naeymi, junior, daughter of Brad and Dorothy Naeymi; Rosalind.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY
From Wamego
Brandon DeLaney, junior, son of Diane DeLaney; Orlando.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan
Theresa Buchheister, senior, daughter of Jim and Carol Buchheister; Phoebe.

SHERMAN COUNTY
From Goodland
Joshua W. Vignery, senior, son of Ron and Judi Vignery; Oliver.

MINNESOTA
From Lakeville
Justin Knudsen, sophomore, son of Ken and Barb Knudsen; Jaques.

MISSOURI
From Chesterfield
Aaron Light, senior, son of Martin and Diane Light; Charles.
Adrienne Lamping, senior, daughter of Libby Beck and Dan Lamping, St. Louis, Mo.; Celia.

From Maryland Heights
Danon Nicholae Park, graduate student, son of Charlotte Pedersen; Duke Senior.

OKLAHOMA
From Tulsa
Matt Greer, senior, son of Michael and Becky Greer; Touchstone.

TEXAS
From Dallas
Kelley Bryce Davies, sophomore, son of John Davies and Nancy Toland; Amiens.