EUGENE–University Theatre kicks off its 1999-2000 Robinson Season on Friday, Nov. 5, with a production of "Julius Caesar," William Shakespeare’s complex play of ambition and politics near the turn of a previous millennium.

The play, directed by University of Oregon theater arts professor Robert Barton, continues on Nov. 6, 11—13 and 19—20 in Robinson Theatre at Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane on the UO campus. All performances, except a 2 p.m. benefit matinee on Sunday, Nov. 14, begin at 8 p.m. Free parking is available nearby in the UO lot at East 11th and Kincaid.

Tickets cost $10 for the general public; $8 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff, and non-UO students; and $5 for UO students. On Thursday, Nov. 11, UO students can purchase tickets for $4, a $1 discount.

For the Nov. 14 matinee, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students through the Camp Fire Boys and Girls, 342-6338, as a benefit for that organization. Group rates are available for all performances, and season tickets are still on sale.

Tickets for all University Theatre events are now available at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, One Eugene Centre, as well as at the Ticket Office in the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave., and the University Theatre Box Office in the Robinson Theatre Lobby.

The 1999-2000 season marks the 50th year of plays in Robinson Theatre since it opened as University Theatre on Dec. 2, 1949, with a production of "Winterset." In the 50 years of its existence, Robinson Theatre has been home to well over 300 productions.

This production of "Julius Caesar" will be presented in modern dress but will use Shakespeare’s language in a streamlined version adapted by Barton, the director. In its examination of the way a country selects those who govern, he says the play also reflects on the way we select our leaders 2,000 years later and will be a contemporary look at our own election process at the beginning of the U.S. presidential campaign.

"This is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and timeless plays," Barton says. "It’s about ambition, loyalty, friendship, service and survival in a political world."

The production team working with director Barton includes Jerry R. Williams, the University Theatre scenic designer who is designing both sets and costumes for this production; Chris Wooten, a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree candidate in design from Corvallis who is the lighting designer; and Rene Garza, another MFA candidate from Eugene who is the sound designer.

Janet Rose is the technical director; Carine Boeker, a senior theater arts major from Sassenheim, Holland, is the stage manager; and Torey Mulvany, a senior theater arts major from Ontario, is the production dramaturg.

The production features cross-gender casting in many instances. As the story has been brought into a modern world, many of the politicians and soldiers from Shakespeare’s play–traditionally played by men–have been cast as women.

Cast members include Danielle Ozymandias, a junior theater arts major from Ashland, as Antony; Alex Pawlowski, a junior theater arts major from Elmira, as Julius Caesar; Luke Hamilton, a senior theater arts major from Eugene, as Brutus; and Scott Vogel, a senior theater arts major from Grants Pass, as Cassius.

Curtis Williams, a junior theater arts major from Gresham, is cast as Marullus; Micah Klatt, a senior theater arts and psychology major from Portland, as Lucius; Teegan Ahrens, a senior theater arts from Terrebonne as Flavius; and Quinn Mattfeld, a sophomore theater arts major from Camas, Wash., as Casca.

Featured actors include Windy Borman, a sophomore journalism major from Bay City; Heather Meyers, a senior theater arts major from Bend; Tasha Cyr, a sophomore theater arts major from Eugene; Connie Close, a sophomore theater arts major from Gresham; Bekki Barnhart, a senior theater arts major from Portland; Ross Maxwell, a senior English from Portland; Kate Gregory, a senior psychology major from Fresno, Calif.; and Michael Govier, a senior theater arts major from Redding, Calif.

For more information about performances of "Julius Caesar" and other Robinson Season productions, browse http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~theatre or call the University Theatre Box Office, 346-4191; the EMU Ticket Office, 346-4363; or the Hult Center Box Office, 682-5000.

A taped message about University Theatre productions and activities also is available 24 hours a day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2287.

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