Aug. 12, 1997 University Theatre Contact Joseph Gilg (541) 346-4190 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EUGENE--The University of Oregon theater production of "Ever the Dragon," an original Chinese Opera-style fairy tale, is going on the road this fall. The UO theatre company will travel nearly 1,500 miles during September to present performances for dozens of schools in nine communities across the state, thanks to a generous gift from Herbert G. Kariel, a retired professor, and support from several University Theatre patrons. The University Theatre tour will include stops in Bend, Corvallis, Florence, Hood River, La Grande, La Pine, Newport, Redmond and Roseburg. Most stops include two performances at which local school children are bused to centrally located performance halls. After the tour, the company will return to Eugene to stage three performances Oct. 2-4 in Robinson Theatre on the UO campus. "Ever the Dragon" is an original script by Springfield playwright Dorothy Velasco which has been staged by UT professor Jerry Williams using Chinese opera theater techniques. It is the third in a series of plays created at the University Theatre which explores the connection between Western theater forms and Asian performance traditions. The play is based on several ancient Chinese fairy tales, but with a decidedly modern twist. In the play 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, a parade of Chinese lantern creatures and a dragon that flies over the audience. University Theatre staged two school matinees during the play's original run in the Robinson Theatre last spring. The audience then included more than 700 students from 12 different schools in the southern Willamette Valley and mid-coast region. The shows proved so successful that funding was sought for a more extensive presentation around the state. "The initial idea for the tour was to reach out to schools all over the state and bring them a quality production at no cost," says director Jerry Williams. "With Dr. Kariel's gift and the support of other University Theatre patrons, that dream is now a reality." Kariel received his bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in 1949, followed with a master's degree in education in 1954. Now retired, he had a long and distinguished career as a professor of geography at the University of Alberta in Calgary. Other donors to the tour fund include Marshall and Elizabeth Blu, John and Dallas Cole, Laurel Fisher, Allan and Henriette Gemmel, Michael and Sarah Hahn, and Supatra Jiranawthanaporn. The production features original music written in the southern Chinese lyric folk style by Eugene composer Don Kelley. He will conduct a small orchestra of traditional drums, gongs, cymbals, flute and violin as he accompanies with keyboard synthesizer. Toni Pimble, artistic director of the Eugene Ballet, choreographed the play. The UO production staff includes lighting and technical direction by Janet Rose, scenery by University Theatre designer and local artist Jerry Williams, and costumes designed by Alexandra Bonds of the University Theatre. Tour manager and technical director is Alan McEwen. The student touring cast of "Ever the Dragon" consists of Elisa Morrison of Corvallis; Dayna Terry of Enterprise; Allegro Johnson, Michael Scott and Don Kelley, all of Eugene; Colleen Regalbuto of Hood River; Christy Upton of McMinnville; Jacob Hutchison, Jill Warner and Kirsten Winchell, all of Portland; Bekki Barnhart of Tigard; Anjelica Singer of Troutdale; Carrie Schindele of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; Kate Slepicka of Hillsboro, Ill.; and Clay Colton of Louisville, Ky. For more information, call the University Theatre box office, (541) 346-4191. A taped message about current University Theatre productions and activities is available 24 hours a day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2287. -30- #P-2037/A&E,Special