University Theatre Feb. 17, 1998 Contact Karen Scheeland (541) 346-4190 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EDITOR'S NOTE: Photo call for "Ghosts" is at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Arena Theatre, Room 104 of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane. EUGENE--"Ghosts," Henrik Ibsen's classic drama of family secrets and tragic legacies, will continue University Theatre's 1997-98 Second Season on Wednesday, March 4. Additional performances will be held March 5-7 and 12-14. All performances begin at 8 p.m. in the Arena Theatre, Room 104 of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane, on the University of Oregon campus. "Ghosts" tells the story of Mrs. Alving, a widow who must revisit the painful events of her past when they begin to reemerge in the life of her son. Although discreet by today's standards, Ibsen's taboo-breaking references to venereal disease in "Ghosts" raised an international furor after the play's premiere in 1881, and Ibsen himself was accused of immorality and subversion. Ibsen has since come to be regarded as both the father of modern realism and one of the most influential figures in western theater. "Ghosts" is directed by Neil Vanderpool, a master of fine arts degree candidate in theater arts from Cottage Grove. He recently directed "The Tempest" at Lane Community College and "Death and the Maiden" in the Arena Theatre. Also contributing to the production are UO theater arts faculty members Jerry Williams, renowned nationally for his scenic artistry, as set designer, and Janet Rose, theater arts technical director, as lighting designer. The play's costumes are designed by Christie Woodcheke, a senior fine arts major from Eugene, and Liz Ryan, a sophomore theater arts major from Mahwah, N.J. Other theater arts majors, all juniors, involved with the production include sound designers Ryan Honey from Boulder, Colo.; Carrie Schindele from Pleasant Hill, Calif.; and dramaturg Holly Thomas from Eagle River, Alaska. Kate Reding, a junior theater arts major from Eugene, is stage manager; and Liz Sunde, a senior theater arts major from Boring, is the assistant director. The cast is headed by UO alumna Rebecca M. Foster, last seen in "Arms and the Man" on the Robinson Theatre stage, who will be playing Mrs. Alving. Mark Zolun, known locally for his extensive work with Actors Cabaret of Eugene, will be Pastor Manders. Other cast members are senior theater arts majors Carrie Gardner of West Linn as Regina Engstrand, Steven Rakestraw of Eugene as Jacob Engstrand, and Ryan Moulder of Eugene as Oswald Alving. Ticket prices for "Ghosts" are $6 for the general public; $5 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff, and non-UO students; and $3 for UO students. Free parking is available near Villard Hall in the UO lot at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street. For tickets and more information, call or visit the University Theatre box office in Robinson Theatre, (541) 346-4191. Box office hours are noon-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon- 8:15 p.m. on performance days. Tickets also are available through the EMU ticket office at 346-4363. 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, or visit University Theatre's Internet website at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~theatre/. -30- #P-2153/A&E