EUGENE–University Theatre’s "Tribute to Horace Robinson" Season will present "Dark of the Moon" by Howard Richardson and William Berney beginning Friday, May 21, in the Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane on the University of Oregon campus.

The final production of the 1998-99 main-stage season will continue on May 22, and 27—29 and on June 4—5. Curtain time for all performances is at 8 p.m., and free parking is available nearby in the lot at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street.

A matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23, will be a benefit for Food for Lane County. Tickets for this benefit performance are $10 for the general public and $5 for students.

"Dark of the Moon" is legendary for its haunting atmosphere and vivid imagery. According to Director Joseph Gilg, this is one thing that made the script attractive to him.

"There is a wonderful combination of the ‘super-real’ in the language and dialect opposed to the fantasy of witches and conjur people who live in the world," he says. "Finding the visual and staging solution to these seemingly opposite worlds was very exciting to me."

Music is an important element of "Dark of the Moon," and this production has used that opportunity to expand and embellish the musicality of the script.

"There is wonderful folk music selected by Linda Danielson and Diane Dugaw," Gilg says. "This is used throughout the play to provide not only atmosphere and local color, but also commentary on the action, the characters and the relationships in the play."

"Dark of the Moon" is based on the haunting ballad of "Barbara Allen." Set in the imaginative Smoky Mountains, it recounts the story of an elfin witchboy who beheld the beautiful Barbara Allen and immediately fell in love with her.

A compact is made by which he will be given human form to woo and marry her, on the condition that she remain true to him. The marriage is consummated and Barbara gives birth to a witch child whom the midwives burn. In the frenzy of a religious revival Barbara is led to betray her witchboy husband in order to break the spell. She then dies and he returns forever to the land of the mountain witches.

The New York Times described "Dark of the Moon" as, "Gusto, vitality, humor, and a natural and easygoing way of introducing folk songs that add up to an engaging evening of theatre." The New York World-Telegram said, "Weird, fascinating theatrical entertainment. Daringly experimental, an enriching and pleasurable experience."

"Dark of the Moon" explores the world of spirit and magic, embodied by both the fiery human preacher, and the otherworldly conjur people and witch folk. The production team has spent much energy researching these magical effects and themes.

The artistic staff includes Director Joseph Gilg, a UO faculty member and former student of Horace Robinson; Musical Director Linda Danielson; Choreographer Annie Voorhees, a senior theater arts major from Modesto, Calif.; Set Designer Gregory Hoffart, a third-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) student in theater arts from Canby; Costume Designer Alexandra B. Bonds, a UO faculty member; and assistant costume designers Ashlynn Billingsley, a first-year MFA student in theater arts from Hyattsville, Md., and Stephanie Cooper, a senior Italian major from Eugene.

Other artistic staff are Lighting Designer Chris Wooten, a second-year MFA student in theater arts from Columbia, Mo.; Sound Designer Michael Grof, a junior in theater arts major from Fremont, Calif.; Technical Director Janet Rose, a UO faculty member; Dramaturg Morgan Reed, a junior theater arts major from San Francisco, Calif.; Assistant Director Matt Berliner, a senior theater arts major from Las Vegas, Nev.; and Stage Manager Kate Slepicka, a junior theater arts major from Hillsboro, Ill.

The cast features Daniel Dismuke a junior theater arts major from Ashland as Uncle Smelicue; Ian Appel, a sophomore English and theater arts major from Brookings as Mr. Summey; Gresham students Kevin Carroll, a freshman theater arts major as Burt Dinwitty, Bruce Ramseyer, a junior theater arts major as the Fair Witch, and Curtis Williams, a sophomore theater arts major as Hank Gudger; and Eugene students Luke Hamilton, a junior theater arts major as John, Kathryn Reese, a freshman theater arts major as Ella Bergen, Jon Sharpy, a sophomore theater arts major as Floyd Allen, and Alexander Stanley, a sophomore theater arts major as Marvin Hudgens.

Other cast members are Rachel Sebastian, a freshman theater arts major from Irrigon as Miss Metcalf; Stacia Jensen, a senior theater arts and English major from Junction City as the Conjur Woman; Bridie Harrington, a senior theater arts major from Lake Oswego as Edna Summey; Darlene Espinoza Dadras, a sophomore theater arts and Romance languages major from Milwaukie, as the Dark Witch; Sam Super, a sophomore undeclared major from Oregon City as Mr. Jatkins; Bekki Barnhart, a junior theater arts major from Portland as Mrs. Allen; and Minnie Goode, a sophomore theater arts and education major from Tigard as Mrs. Bergen.

Also in the cast are Megan Smith, a senior theater arts and music major from Davis, Calif., as Barbara; Anthony Campanella, a UO alumnus from Los Angeles, Calif., as Mr. Allen; Nancy Kowalczyk, a graduate student in folklore from St. Louis, Mo., as Mrs. Summey; Quinn Mattfeld a freshman theater arts major from Camas,Wash., as the Conjur Man; and Rowan Morrison, a sophomore theater arts major from Seattle, Wash., as Preacher Haggler.

Regular performance ticket prices are $10 for the general public; $8 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 the lobby of 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.

A taped message about current University Theatre performances is available 24-hours-a-day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2533.

Tickets also are on sale at the ticket office at the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave., or call 346-4363.

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