EUGENE–University Theatre’s Second Season will present "The Maids" by Jean Genet and "Hot ‘n’ Throbbing" by Paula Vogel as a double bill beginning on Wednesday, March 3.

Curtain time for all performances, which continue March 4—6 and 11—13, is 8 p.m. There will be no late seating. All shows are staged in the Arena Theatre on the first floor of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane located on the University of Oregon campus.

Free parking is available in the lot located across from the theater at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street.

Patron discretion is advised, as both productions contain adult themes and language.

According to Joel Harmon, director of "The Maids," the play "functions as a house of mirrors in which reflections that are true shift into distortions." This struggle between illusion and reality is what drew Harmon, a master’s degree student in theater arts from Gresham, to the play.

"Hot ‘n’ Throbbing," which follows "The Maids" in the bill, is a "constant barrage of conflicting ideas of sensuality," says director Jonathan Cole, a master’s degree student in theater arts from Thompson Falls, Mont. The play, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, "creates a rift between reality as we perceive it and life as we fantasize about it." Cole was drawn to the play by its evocative imagery, cinematic structure and complex combat sequences.

"The Maids" blurs the line between fantasy and reality as two maids plot the murder of their Madame, while "Hot ‘n’ Throbbing" deals with a broken family in suburban America. What begins as a normal evening turns deadly when the mother, alone in the house, is paid a visit by her estranged husband. Self-defense takes an unusual turn, while rapid-fire action and overlapping scenes round out an experience that bombards one’s senses.

The artistic staff includes set designer Michael Govier, a junior theater arts major from Redding, Calif.; costume designers Margaret Dillner, a junior theater arts major from Portland, and Stephanie Cooper, a senior Italian major from Eugene; sound and video designer Luke Hamilton, a junior theater arts major from Eugene; and dramaturg Holly Thomas, a senior theater arts major from Eagle River, Alaska. Lighting designer is J. Michael Gilg, while technical director is Janet Rose, both UO faculty members.

Assistant directors are Heather Meyers, a junior theater arts from Bend, and Anjelica Singer, a senior theater arts major from Troutdale. Stage managers are Bruce Ramseyer, a junior theater arts major from Gresham, and Jackie Jacobus, a junior theater arts major from Davis, Calif., while fight choreographer is Danielle Oaks, a junior theater arts major from Ashland.

"The Maids" cast features Shelly Swearingen, a senior English major from Redmond, as Solange/Claire/Voice of Madame; Sabrina Bernasconi, a senior theater arts major from San Bruno, Calif., as Claire/Solange, and Colleen Wroblewski, a junior theater arts major from Danville, Calif., as Solange/Claire.

The "Hot ‘n’ Throbbing" cast features Rhaetia Hanscum, a junior theater arts and psychology major from Jackson, Wyo., as Charlene; Quinn Mattfeld, a freshman theater arts major from Camas, Wash., as Clyde; Dave Royer, a junior theater arts major from Lynnwood, Calif., as the Voice; Paige McKinney, a senior theater arts major from Zwolle, the Netherlands, as Voice Over; Joe vonAppen, a sophomore theater arts major from Eugene, as Calvin; and Jenni Hellesto, a junior journalism major from Honolulu, Hawaii, as Leslie Ann.

Tickets are $6 for the general public; $5 for University of Oregon faculty and staff, senior citizens and non-UO students; and $3 for UO students. All seats are general admission.

For tickets and more information, visit the University Theatre Box Office in the Robinson Theatre Lobby at Villard Hall, or call (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 at the ticket office at the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave., or call 346-4363.

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