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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1992)
Classics, originals make up Robinson Theatre season By Pollyanne Power Emerald Contributor _ The plays at the University's Robinson Theatre promise to make audiences luugh, cry and gasp this year with one of the most diverse seasons the theatre has over had. More than half the student body is expected to attend performance# this season, and thousands of students will ire involved in every aspect of production and performance. "The identity of the Robinson Theatre within the community is that of a classical theater.” said Robert Barton, associate professor and Robinson Theatre director. "IVe have a great commitment to known clas sics and potential classics," Barton said. "We stay away from pure diversion and stick to the great ones. This way we challenge the students and bring out the greatness in thorn " "1 think one of the things that makes Robinson Theatre special is the breadth of theater." said William Warren, University Theater business manager. "We will bo producing Shakespearean classics as well as 20th Century pieces, an origi nal, and dance and musical programs." The season opens with a revival of Shake speare's As You Like It. 'Iliis performance capped last year's season and is !>eing brought back Ixi causo of its popularity. The play is diroctod by Barton, who has extensive experience acting, di recting, and studying Shakespeare As You Like It is a romantic comedy. It is typi cal of Shakespearean comedy in its use of dis guise and deception and the descent into chans and hilarity. It is unusual, however, because it de picts a strong aggressive woman who chooses the man she wants and sets out to mould and educate him. She does all this while disguised as a man, giving the role reversal a further twist. The Robinson Theatre Production of As You Like It will not use typical Elizabethan costuming and scenery. The costuming was designed not to bo suggestive of an ora, thus accentuating the timelessness of the comedy. The scenery is cre ated with projections and screens, allowing the company to be more visually spectacular and more easily changeable than if the scenery wore made with heavy painted sets. “The production of As You Likf li is set In no time, and no-place," Barton said "’! he setting is contemporary, yet unspecific.” The second production of the season will la the classic L’quu.s This intense drama pits the in tellect of a psychiatrist against the passion of a young man who has blinder! six horses Written by Peter Shaffer and directed here by lack. Wat son, this play represents a number of special chal lenges to the Robinson Theatre production com pany. Grant McKernio. Theatre Arts department head, will play Dysart, the psychiatrist Watson was a pupil under McKernio here at the University. "t'quus will bo challenging for (Watson and McKernio),” Wurrun said. "This spin on ihoir loacher/pupil relationship should prove to be very worthwhile, positive and rewarding. A chal lenge also lies with the students who will bo per forming with their department head. It is a won derful opportunity for them, and a wonderful op ROBINSON THEATRE 1992-93 SEASON As You Like It Oct. 1-3 Equus November 6,7,12-14,19-21 Wings On Your Heels January 15,16,21-23 On The Verge February 19,20,25-27 March 5,6 Chimera April 22-24,30, May 1 King Lear May 21,22,27-29, June 4,5 General Admission SB. Sludents'Seniors $4 50. Season Tickets General S30, Students/Seniors Sift Season Tickets available September 26-October 3 The Box Office is open Monday Salunlay 12-4 p m Graphic by Jeff Paslay portunity for us to see lliis great work witfi this caliber of performers.” The production of tonius Includes intense emo tional moments as well us physical nudity and is not recommended for young children The next production is presented by the Dunce Department of the School of Music, which ap pears yearly at the Robinson Theatre with a pro gram of modern, rhythmic and contemporary dance performed by the top students of the Dunce Department. Following the dance production is un original piece called On The Verge It was written by Eric Overmeyer and is the tale of three women of the Victorian era who pass through time and find themselves In contemporary times On The Verge is a situation comedy with a feminist approach The piuy, directed by Amy Sumo, plays on the frustration and shock of the Victorian ladies who had hitherto considered themselves very modem and open-minded To their intense consternation, and our amusement, they find that they now embody the fussy conser vative element that they used to criticize. Thoughtful and light, this play promises to pro mote much discussion Chimera will lx; a glorious and extravagant pro duction that combines a variety of musical and dance talents. The School of Music is using many resources to bring the culture and mystique of Bali and Indonesia to the stage. The dance will txs arranged Janet Descutnor. associate professor and head of the Dance Department Jerry Williams, a theatre arts professor who is currently touring Bali, will bo responsible for the luxuriant scenic designs. Rolxirt Kyr. associate professor of music, will bring the Pacific Rim (iamelun Orchostru to the stage. The Gamelon Or Turn to THEATRE. Page 25C Light or Amber $89 (Pony Keg $55) Special, Bomber or Stout $99 ($60 Pony Keg) I’leaw call 686-2739 to rc»crvc Additional charge fot depontt WEEKEND SPECIAL S43OO 250 FREE MILES Friday to Monday 72 Hours 683-0874 110 W. 6th (By the Hult Center) Some restrictions « Must be 21 A-WAV RENT A CAR GOLDWORKS, jewelry design studios TO "THaveet \ rhe N( xfhwest Cornt>i of 13fh & L<: jwn • tMHMHM ! UNIVERSITY THEATRE'S 1992-93 SEASON ROBINSON THEATRE AS YOU LIKE IT EQUUS WINGS ON YOUR HEELS ON THE VERGE CHIMERA KING LEAR SECOND SEASON ARENA THE AIKt BLUE WINDOW ASSASSINS T BONE N W'EASEI ROOSTERS BOX OFFICE REOPENS SAT., SEP I. 26, 1992 UmvWMly ul < m, i iif/ iH’. ( B.iv ( )|ln f It U |ilmiM' ',()( (46-4191 iHKvlt Dm Kir kttMfcni n (41 A4L4,1 mIue li M.iinnh lr-> '• (1 Hit trvtlnMT <4 It* *jl»% aim) lit* Intimate Candlelight Dining in Historic Building Fine Italian and Continental Cuisine Live Jazz 7 Nights a Week —No cover— 259 Fast Fifth Avenue 141 U4UU 0*900