March 24, 1998 University Theatre Contact Karen Scheeland (541) 346-4190 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EDITORS' NOTE: Photo call for "Machinal" is at 6 p.m. Monday, March 30, at the Robinson Theatre, 1109 Old Campus Lane. EUGENE--University Theatre's 1997-98 Robinson Theatre Season continues when "Machinal," Sophie Treadwell's expressionistic vision of entrapment and extremity, opens on Friday, April 10. Additional performances, all beginning at 8 p.m., will be held April 11, 16-18 and 24-25 in the Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane on the University of Oregon campus. Drawing from her experience as a journalist at a sensational murder trial in 1928, Treadwell created in "Machinal" the story of a woman who feels so confined by a repressive society that she takes the desperate measure of murdering her husband. " `Machinal' depicts the longing and protest of a young woman's soul against inhibiting and disempowering social institutions," says director Robin Aronson, a doctor of philosophy degree candidate in theater arts from Eugene. "It is about yearning, oppression and the vulnerability of love and spiritual wholeness in an impersonal world where industrial `progress' threatens the very heart of humanity. "Treadwell's feminist and anti-industrial perspective, a revelation in the 1920s, remains theatrically innovative and socially relevant today," Aronson adds. "Machinal" features sets by Curt Enderle, a visiting set designer from Portland Center Stage; costumes by Heather Brooks, a theater arts master of fine arts degree candidate from Ontario; and lights by Greg Hoffart, a theater arts master of fine arts degree candidate from Eugene. Janet Rose is the technical director. The production also includes sound design by Kelly Baum, a senior theater arts major of Springfield; props design by Linda Lee Ellis, a senior theater arts major of Springfield; and dramaturgy by Ame Wilson Smith, a theater arts doctor of philosophy degree candidate from Ellensburg, Wash. The cast features UO students Ursula Aller, a senior theater arts major of Roseburg, as Young Woman; Alexander Pawlowski, a freshman theater arts major of Elmira, as Husband; Ryan Honey, a junior theater arts major of Boulder, Colo., as Lover; and Colleen Wroblewski, a sophomore theater arts major of Danville, Calif., as Mother. Ami Bell, a senior theater arts major of Tigard, is stage manager, and Susann Suprenant, a doctor of philosophy degree candidate in theater arts from Reno, Nev., is the assistant director. "Machinal" features a supporting ensemble of UO students Daniel Dismuke, a sophomore undeclared major of Ashland; Curtis Williams, a freshman undeclared major of Gresham; Torey Mulvany, a junior theater arts major of Ontario; Brian Henderson, a freshman philosophy major of Fair Oaks, Calif.; and Rachel Aanestad, a senior architecture major of Ketchum, Idaho. Other ensemble members in multiple roles are Sean Thommen of Ashland; Joe Von Appen, a freshman theater arts major of Eugene; Jamie Cannon, a freshman theater arts major of Gold Hill; Bridie Harrington, a junior theater arts major of Lake Oswego; Greg Thorson, a freshman theater arts major of Medford; Minnie Goode, a freshman theater arts major of Tualatin; and Ari Friedman, a junior anthropology major of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Robinson Theatre is fully accessible for wheelchairs and also has a hearing assistance system for patrons. Free parking is available nearby in the lot at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street. Ticket prices for "Machinal" are $9 for the general public; $7 for UO faculty and staff, senior citizens and non-UO students; and $4.50 for UO students. For tickets and more information, visit the University Theatre box office in Robinson Theatre, 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 Erb Memorial Union ticket office, 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.uoergon.edu/~theatre/>. -30- #P-2170/A&E