EUGENE–University Theatre’s Second Season will present familiar and lesser-known plays by Marguerite Duras, Harold Pinter, Jean Genet and Paula Vogel during the 1998-99 season, as well as an adaptation of a play by Anton Chekov.

Second Season plays are presented at the Arena Theatre in Room 104 of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane at the University of Oregon. Usually, they feature the talents of theater department graduate students in the design and directors roles.

This year’s season starts off with "India Song," a play by Marguerite Duras. The play is a nostalgic look at colonial India during the period just prior to its gaining independence. Duras, known more for her novels, writes often about India and the countries of Asia, where she grew up.

"India Song" is a memory play told by people who were present but only casually involved in the incidents portrayed. It uses several cinematic techniques to tell its story, including voice over narrative and flash back sequences.

The play is being directed by Melanie Moseley with extensive choreography by Jennifer Knight-Dills. The design staff includes Chris Wooten for scenery and lighting and Jessica Grindell and David Royer in costumes. There is also significant use of music, both original and previously composed, as well as sound effects. These are being coordinated by Megan Smith.

"India Song" opens on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and continues on Oct. 29—31 and Nov. 5—7.

The second play of the Second Season is "Old Times" by Harold Pinter. Critically hailed in its New York and London productions as the author’s most important play, this is an intense and often funny work which delves into the past and present lives of three people. Pinter long has been acknowledged as one of the most important dramatists of the 20th century, and the New York Times said of "Old Times" that it is "…the finest play of a master dramatist."

"Old Times" is being directed by Jimmy Bickertstaff with costume designs by Ashlynn Billingsly and Kellian Allen, set design by Kevin McPherson and lighting by Michael Mateyko.

The opening of "Old Times" is Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999, and the play continues on Jan. 14—16 and Jan. 21—23.

The season continues with a double bill featuring "The Maids" by Jean Genet and "Hot and Throbbing" by Paula Vogel. Joel Harmon is directing "The Maids," while Jon Cole will be guiding the production of "Hot and Throbbing."

Genet’s "The Maids" carries on his fixation on the netherworld of life, exploring people of a social class often not seen on the stage. The maids of the title are sisters who work for a wealthy woman. In her absence they take turns pretending to be the "master," while the other plays the servant in a bizarre recreation of their role to their employer. Genet shows us the world through the eyes and minds of these women shining a light on parts of our lives often shrouded in darkness.

"Hot and Throbbing" is the story of a woman who writes feminist erotica. It involves her teenage son, a daughter and the estranged husband who comes to beg a favor. It is a savagely funny and challenging investigation of sex, power and violence within the high-powered energy that comes in the live theater.

"The Maids" and "Hot and Throbbing" will have costumes designed by Liz Ryan, Margaret Dillner and Stephanie Cooper and sets by Michael Govier. Performance dates are March 3—6 and March 11—13.

The final play of the Second Season is an adaptation of Chekov’s "The Sea Gull" called "The Sea Gull Soiree." Director Susann Suprenant is giving the Russian classic a modern, not to say post-modern, face-lift. Although the original will be well apparent, it will have additions from modern culture and the 1990s which create a rich tapestry of time and place full of contemporary relevance.

"The Sea Gull Soiree" opens on April 28 with additional performances on April 29—30 and May 1 and 6—8. Costumes will be designed by Heather Brooks and Marilyn Stauber, with sets by Rachel Aanestad.

All Second Season plays are presented in the Arena Theatre and begin promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 for the general public; $5 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff, and non-UO students; and $3 for UO students.

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the University Theatre Box Office in the lobby of Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane. For information, 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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