April 22, 1997 University Theatre Contact Joseph Gilg (541) 346-4190 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo call is at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 28, in the Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane. EUGENE--"Ever the Dragon," an original Chinese Opera-style fairy tale by local playwright Dorothy Velasco, will wrap up University Theatre's 1996-97 Robinson Theatre season when it opens May 9. The play's seven-performance run will continue on May 10, 15-17 and 23-24, with all performances beginning at 8 p.m. in Robinson Theatre, 1109 Old Campus Lane near the UO law school at East 11th and Kincaid. Tickets are $9 for the general public; $7 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff, and non-UO students; and $4.50 for UO students. A special performance of "Ever the Dragon" benefiting Womenspace is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Womenspace, 485-8232, or at the University Theatre box office. Velasco's original script is based on several ancient Chinese fairy tales, with a decidedly modern twist. Jerry, a dissatisfied college student, is confused about his Chinese-Cuban-American heritage. When he gets into trouble at school, the dean of students, who happens to be Chinese, sends him on a journey. In his quest, he is swept back through time into an ancient China filled with dragons, female warriors and a wise sage who holds the answers to all questions. There, in order to survive, Jerry must discover his personal values and achieve self-respect through a series of difficult but thrilling lessons. This exuberant and vibrant production is filled with the athleticism of kung fu martial arts performed in spectacular costumes before Chinese painted scenery representing a mystical land. It features stunning stage effects, including a silk tidal wave over the audience, a parade of Chinese lantern creatures, and a dragon that flies round-trip to Taipei. The production features original music written in the southern Chinese lyric folk style by local composer Don Kelley. He will conduct a small orchestra of traditional drums, gongs, cymbals, flute and violin as he accompanies with keyboard synthesizer. This University Theatre production features choreography by Eugene's own Toni Pimble, renowned artistic director of the Eugene Ballet. Lighting is by Janet Rose, a theater arts senior instructor and University Theatre's resident lighting designer and technical director. The scenery will be by Jerry Williams, a theater arts professor, University Theatre designer and local artist. Theater arts Professor Alexandra Bonds is designing the costumes, and Lucy Smith is the stage manager. The cast of "Ever the Dragon" consists of Elisa Morrison, a sophomore music major of 1210 N.W. Fernwood Circle, Corvallis; Dayna Terry, a senior English major of 305 N.E. Logan St., Enterprise; and Allegro Johnson, a Community Education Program graduate student of 1475 Bailey Hill Rd., Apt. 134, Don Kelley, a Community Education Program graduate student of 2775 Central Blvd., and Chuck Koleno, a sophomore theater arts major of 2798 Firwood Way, all of Eugene. Also in the cast are Jesse Sartain, a sophomore undeclared major of 5094 New Hope Rd., Grants Pass; Colleen Regalbuto, a freshman undeclared major of 1809 Prospect, Hood River; Christy Upton, a sophomore undeclared major of 753 N.E. Baker Creed Rd., McMinnville; Jacob Hutchison, a sophomore theater arts major of 7005 S.E. Pine St., Portland; Bekki Barnhart, a freshman environmental studies major of 10671 S.W. Kent St., Tigard; and Anjelica Singer, a sophomore theater arts major of 2035 S.E. Troutdale Rd., Troutdale. Others in the cast are Carrie Schindele, a sophomore theater arts major of 25 Woodside Dr., Moraga, Calif.; Kate Slepicka, a freshman theater arts major of P.O. Box 250, Hillsboro, Ill.; Clay Colton, a sophomore business administration pre-major of 3710 Trail Ridge Rd., Louisville, Ky.; and Jill Warner, a senior psychology major of 19706 12th Ave. N.W., Seattle, Wash. For more information, call the University Theatre box office, (541) 346-4191. A 24-hour taped message about current University Theatre productions and activities is available by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2287. -30- #P-2250/A&E