University Theatre Sept. 2, 1997 Contact Karen Scheeland (541) 346-4190 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EUGENE--You can now buy a ticket to a "season of love," University Theatre's 1997-98 main stage offering in Robinson Theatre on the University of Oregon campus. "This year's season is comprised of four diverse productions which span a variety of styles, each dealing with the concept of love in an unique way," says Karen Scheeland, University Theatre's development director for 1997-98. Her predecessor, Joseph Gilg, has undertaken a one-year teaching assignment at Eastern Oregon University. "Although three of the plays were written in the first half of the 20th century, they represent widely divergent theatrical styles," she says. "Along with the Shakespeare production, the season represents everything from the classical to realism and from lyric poesy to American Expressionism." "Design for Living" starts the season on Nov. 7-8 and continues Nov. 13-15 and 21-22. One of the classic comedies of the modern theater, it was written by Noel Coward, the consummate master of the drawing room comedy of manners. The story involves the familiar love triangle (plus one), with Gilda trying to decide among her three suitors--a painter, a playwright and an art dealer. Set against the cosmopolitan backgrounds of Paris, London and New York, Scheeland says it is Coward at his best. Craig Willis of Seattle will direct "Design for Living." He directed the hilarious and unique production of Moliere's "The Learned Ladies" for University Theatre in 1993. Federico Garcia Lorca's stunningly theatrical production, "Blood Wedding," takes center stage next, opening on Jan. 30-31, 1998, and continuing on Feb. 5-7 and 13-14. Scheeland says this powerfully passionate play ranks with "Romeo and Juliet" for the lyric beauty of young people in love. Lorca's haunting poetry accents the consequences of a family feud and betrayal that leads to tragedy on a young couple's wedding day. This theatrically vibrant story explores the wonders and power of nature in concert and in conflict with the passion of human love. "Machinal," by Sophie Treadwell, opens April 10-11 and plays April 16-18 and 24-25. This is a provocative and experimental American classic lifted from the front pages of a city's newspapers in the late 1920s. Treadwell's play is an expressionistic depiction of love and marriage in an inhuman and mechanized society. Offering a woman's perspective on love, this play gained great notoriety when first produced in 1928 and has become increasingly popular and often produced in the '90s. The season ends with William Shakespeare's elegant romantic comedy, "Two Gentlemen of Verona," that plays May 22-23 and 28-30, and June 5-6. This delightful romantic comedy, directed by University Theatre's popular Robert Barton, is about two best friends whose relationship is tested by the unpredictable nature of love. "Two Gentlemen" features four young lovers, numerous fools, a dog, disguises, travel, high romance, low clowning and a feast of puns, quips and other word play before all ends happily. Written in the farcical commedia dell' arte tradition, Scheeland says it is also uniquely Shakespearean in its tenderness and depth of feeling. Season tickets for Robinson Theatre productions are available in conventional form--purchase one ticket for each play, good for a given seat on a given night. Patrons also have the option of buying "Freedom Pack" vouchers, which are four coupons which can be redeemed for any performance of any of the plays. Tickets purchased either way for this season's four plays are $30 for the general public, $24 for senior citizens, UO faculty and staff, and non-UO students, and $15 for UO students. Season ticket sales will continue through the run of the first production which closes on Nov. 22. The Robinson Theatre in Villard Hall, 1190 Old Campus Lane, is fully accessible for wheelchairs and also has a hearing assistance system for patrons. Scheeland says plenty of free parking is available nearby in the lot at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street. For information and brochures and to place season-ticket orders, call University Theatre's development office, (541) 346-4190. A taped message about current University Theatre productions and activities also is available 24 hour a day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2287. The University Theatre box office, 346-4191, will open at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 30. -30- #P-2038/A&E