EUGENE–University Theatre will celebrate the 1999—2000 season, its 50th in the current Robinson Theatre, with a season-ending production of Charles Dickens’ massive "Nicholas Nickleby" in May and June 2000.

Season tickets are now on sale for the milestone season that also will offer Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar" in modern dress and Caryl Churchill’s contemporary British drama, "Top Girls."

The internationally acclaimed "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," adapted by David Edgar, is so massive that University Theatre will present it in two parts next spring. Theatergoers will be able to see the full eight-hour production by attending performances in sequence on Thursday and Friday evenings, on Saturday afternoons and evenings, or on Sunday afternoons one week apart.

Part I performances will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursdays (May 18, May 25 and June 1) and at
2 p.m. on Saturdays (May 20, May 27 and June 3). One additional performance, a Sunday matinee, will be at 2 p.m. on May 21.

Part II performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. on Fridays (May 19, May 26 and June 2) and Saturdays (May 20, May 27 and June 3). The Sunday matinee will be at 2 p.m. on May 28.

Observers hailed "Nicholas Nickleby" at its 1981 opening as "the theatrical event of the century." They describe the play as an experience from which the audience emerges "not merely delighted but strengthened, not just entertained but uplifted, not only affected but changed."

More than 40 actors will play 150 parts in the University Theatre production to create the chaotic and energized world of Victorian England.

"This massive, two-evening presentation of Charles Dickens’ novel presents a fitting challenge to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Robinson Theatre," says Jack Watson, Department of Theater Arts head who will co-direct the production in collaboration with new theater faculty member John Schmor and graduate student Jon Cole. "In its joyous affirmation of life, this also is the perfect vehicle to prepare us for the celebration of the new millennium."

The current UO theater venue opened initially as the University Theatre with a production of "Winterset" on Dec. 2, 1949. Before that, plays had been performed in the Guild Hall Theatre on the first floor of Johnson Hall, as well as at numerous other sites around campus.

The new University Theatre boasted revolutionary new architectural design, as well as state-of-the-art technical equipment. Theater professionals from all over the country came to the University of Oregon to see the new theater.

In 1976, the building was renovated and given a thorough "face-lift," with new technical equipment replacing the original. It was at this time that the theater was renamed in honor of Horace W. Robinson, retiring professor of theater arts.

In the 50 years of its existence, Robinson Theatre has been home to well over 300 productions. In selecting plays for the 50th anniversary season, UO theater arts faculty wanted to choose a play of great scope that might sum up what this legacy means. They decided to find a project that would engage all of the resources of University Theatre–personnel, budget, shops, labs and all. "Nicholas Nickleby" was their choice to bring down the curtain next spring on Robinson Theatre’s 50th year.

The 1999—2000 season will kick off in the fall with "Robinson in the Robinson," a delightful and dramatically different style of theatrical presentation.

Horace Robinson and his Reader’s Theatre Group will bring to life several short stories culled from traditional lore, contemporary writing and personal reminiscences. Simple and straightforward, the staging will place primary emphasis on characterization and the story being told. It is like gathering around the parlor for familiar stories among family and friends.

Not part of the official season-ticket package, "Robinson in the Robinson" will play two nights only, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1—2.

First of the regular season productions will be "Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare. Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Nov. 5—6, 11—13 and 19—20 and for 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14.

This fall production will be presented in modern dress and examine the way we select our leaders more than 2,000 years after the events told in this tale. The play will be an excellent contemporary look at our own election process at the beginning of the U.S. presidential campaign.

"Top Girls" by Caryl Churchill will be the second play of the 50th-anniversary season. It will be performed at 8 p.m. on Jan. 28—29, Feb. 3—5 and Feb. 11—12 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6.

A contemporary British drama, "Top Girls," involves a symbolic luncheon at which significant women from legend and history gather to celebrate the promotion of Marlene to the post of managing director in her London employment agency. What begins as a philosophical discussion of maternity and ambition becomes an examination of women in the business world and the private life of one successful executive.

Season tickets are now on sale for this 50th anniversary season. Prices are $32 for the general public; $25 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff, and non-UO students; and $15 for UO students.

Current season subscribers have until Aug. 1 to renew their orders and maintain their current seating. All others will be assigned seating on a first-come, first-served basis after Aug. 1.

Each season ticket includes "Julius Caesar," "Top Girls" and both parts of "Nicholas Nickleby." Although "Robinson in the Robinson" is not part of the season-ticket package, purchasers of at least two season tickets can receive two tickets for the price of one for this special production.

For information, call the University Theatre Development Office, (541) 346-4190. Information about current University Theatre productions also is available on the Web at <http://darkwing.
uoregon.edu/~theatre/> or by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone, 485-2000, Ext. 2287.

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