Nov. 4, 1997 University Theatre Contact Karen Scheeland (541) 346-4190 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EDITOR'S NOTE: Photo call for "Woyzeck" is at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Arena Theatre in Room 204 of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane. EUGENE--The University of Oregon's University Theatre launches its 1997-98 Second Season on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with a dynamic production of Georg Buchner's startlingly contemporary 19th-century German drama, "Woyzeck." The production will continue Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 4-6. All performances begin at 8 p.m. at the Arena Theatre in Room 204 of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane on the UO campus. Still incomplete at the 24-year-old Buchner's untimely death in 1837, "Woyzeck" uses fragmented episodes to tell the story of a neurotic worker ultimately driven to homicidal insanity by a society both oppressive and absurd. Although the play was rarely produced in the first decades after Buchner's death, it was rediscovered in the early 20th century and proved to be a deeply influential precursor of expressionism. University Theatre's production of "Woyzeck" is directed and adapted by Heather Lindsley, a theater arts master of fine arts degree candidate of 22757 Minona Dr., Grand Terrace, Calif., from a new translation by Linda Mathew of Chemnitz, Germany, and Michael Govier, a sophomore theater arts major of 2551 El Verano St., Redding, Calif. Lindsley has moved the action of the play into a carnival setting, maintaining its focus on a dysfunctional society while highlighting its theatrical extremes. "The characters in "Woyzeck" would fit very naturally into a carnival or even a freakshow," says Lindsley. "They are constantly on uncomfortable display, like the animals at a disreputable circus. And like a traveling carny, the play manages to be both entertaining and slightly disturbing. "What makes "Woyzeck" so amazing, and so contemporary," she adds, "is that Buchner's short, disconnected scenes force his shattered characters to move in an equally shattered narrative." "Woyzeck" features sets by Rebecca Utz, a theater arts master of fine arts degree candidate of 2933 Willamette St., Apt. 2, Eugene, and costumes by Kassie Watson, a senior theater arts major of 1958 Parkmont Dr., Alamo, Calif., and Laura Pelton, a junior anthropology major of 3264 Greer Rd., Palo Alto, Calif. Lighting is by Chris Wooten, a theater arts master of fine arts degree candidate of Columbia, Mo.; sound is by Jim Utz, a theater arts doctoral degree candidate of 1801 Tea Place., Davis, Calif.; and make-up design is by Maike Jacobi, a senior theater arts major of 85232 Winding Way, Pleasant Hill. The all-female ensemble cast for "Woyzeck" includes UO students Sabrina Bernasconi, a sophomore theater arts major of 340 S.E. 40th Ave., Hillsboro; Jessica Grindell, a junior theater arts major of 5618 S.E. Malden St., Portland; Ursula Aller, a senior theater arts major of 434 W. Madrone St., Roseburg; and Sarah Scott Dyrhaug, a sophomore theater arts major of Tempe, Ariz. Other cast members are Anne Oxenhandler, a sophomore theater arts major of 3546 N.W. Thrush Dr., Corvallis; Jennifer Stewart, a senior theater arts and linguistics major of 4023 Donald St., Apt. B, Eugene; Stacia Jensen, a theater arts and English major of P.O. Box 353, Junction City; Kate Reding, a junior theater arts major of 3353 S.E. Woodward, and Kirsten Winchell, a senior theater arts major of 6500 S.W. 90th, both of Portland; Shelly Swearingen, a senior theater arts major of 4022 S.W. Wickiup Court, Redmond; and Holly Thomas, a junior theater arts major of P.O. Box 771081, Eagle River, Alaska. Kristine Hannak, a graduate student studying English of Tübingen, Germany, and Michael Scott, a senior theater arts major of 1299 Reed Court, Salem, are dramaturgs for the show. Micah Klatt, a junior theater arts and psychology major of 20328 Fernview Rd., West Linn, is stage manager. 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. Tickets prices for "Woyzeck" are $6 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff and non-UO students; and $3 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 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-2096/A&E